Exploring the Controversial Question – Should the Soil Ball Protective Cover Be Removed When Planting Trees?
Should the Soil Ball Protective Cover Be Removed When Planting Trees?
After Typhoon No. 3 (Yagi), tens of thousands of trees in Hanoi were uprooted and fallen. Some trees revealed their protective soil ball covers that had not been removed, causing public outrage over the perceived negligence of the planting agency and improper planting techniques.
Uprooted tree with intact soil ball.
Some people argue that this planting method is incorrect, as the soil ball covers can hinder the tree’s growth, potentially leading to early “collapse” without the need for strong winds.
First, we need to understand the basic process of digging and planting trees…
Typically, after digging up a tree for relocation, the planter wraps a protective cover around the soil ball to maintain moisture and ensure the soil ball remains intact during transportation.
This protective cover can be made of netting, plastic bags, or other materials, as long as it securely protects the soil ball for the tree.
When planting, the planter will remove this cover to allow the tree roots to absorb more water and more easily produce new roots. Gradually, the new roots develop, penetrating deeply into the ground, helping the tree establish a strong hold.
If this cover is accidentally left on, it can prevent the root system from developing. As a result, the tree will struggle to absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
A lack of deep root penetration will lead to poor growth, making the tree unstable, leading to wilting and eventual death.
Planting too shallow is also a reason trees are easily uprooted. (Image: Vietnamnet)
Moreover, if the taproot encounters obstacles, it may bend, inadvertently becoming lateral roots, making the tree more susceptible to falling during strong winds.
Additionally, attention must be paid to the depth and distance from the ground surface to the soil ball when planting. Experts suggest that depending on the size of the soil ball, you should dig a hole that is 2 to 3 times the height of the soil ball. This will help ensure the soil ball remains upright, secure, and easier for the tree to grow.
… and the biodegradable plastic soil ball covers that help protect the environment
The market has introduced biodegradable plastic bags that help stabilize trees in the early stages, preventing pests and harmful microorganisms from rotting the tree’s roots.
After 1 to 2 years, when the tree has matured, the plastic bag will decompose into powder, allowing new roots to continue developing normally. This is why some newly planted trees do not require the soil ball cover to be removed; when the roots are strong enough, they will break through this fragile cover and extend out.
In simple terms, this biodegradable plastic soil ball cover undergoes a decomposition process in two stages. First, the particles of the plastic membrane expand, become brittle, and break down into tiny fragments due to natural factors like sunlight, oxygen, and temperature…
Then, they continue to transform into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass as microorganisms absorb them. All these components will integrate back into the environment through natural biological processes.
The decomposition time can range from 6 months to 2 years or longer, depending on environmental conditions. Notably, using fully biodegradable soil ball covers is environmentally friendly and does not harm the environment or result in negative consequences.
According to experts, if using biodegradable plastic materials, not removing them is indeed correct, as they will decompose over time. However, this biodegradable material is not yet widespread and has only been applied to smaller trees; larger trees have not yet widely adopted this method.
