Resorts
San Diego Zoo
Client: San Diego Zoo
Location: San Diego, Ca
Geography: Hardiness Zone 10a
Type: Resorts
Project Requirements
The San Diego Zoo, home to the largest Strangler Fig (Ficus watkinsiana) in the U.S., wanted to use the tree to create a unique entrance to the new Monkey Trails and Forest Tales habitat. Environmental Design was asked to not only move the tree to a new location horizontally, but also to lower the tree 30' to allow visitors to experience the primate exhibit from an elevated walkway in the tree canopy.
Project Process
Environmental Design determined the route the 168" diameter, 440,000 pound tree had to travel to its new home. A tracked gantry system was selected as the most suitable and preparations were made to perform this complicated tree transplant.
Project Solution
The tree was carefully root pruned and encapsulated. A tracked gantry system was constructed at the site and the tree moved 300' horizontally and 30' down to its new home.
 ofP1010036.JPG)
