Method of assembling a platform to support a tree and rootball for tree relocation

A method of forming a platform for use in relocating a tree and rootball for transport to a new location, comprising:

• excavating soil from a first excavation site on a first side of the rootball and from a second excavation site on a second side of the rootball opposite to the first side;
• providing a plurality of pipes, each having a first end, a second end, and a length therebetween exceeding the distance between the first excavation site and the second excavation site;
• driving the second end of each of the plurality of pipes through a lower portion of the rootball to expose the second end of each of the plurality of pipes at the second excavation site and to expose the first end of each of the plurality of pipes at the first excavation site, with each of the plurality of pipes being parallel to the others of the plurality of pipes;
• providing a first slotted beam having a first end, a second end, a width, a first elongate beam member and a second elongate beam member coupled to the first beam member in a parallel and a spaced-apart relationship to provide a slot intermediate the first beam member and the second beam member;
• providing a second slotted beam having a first end, a second end, a width, a first elongate beam member and a second elongate beam member coupled to the first beam member in a parallel and a spaced-apart relationship to provide a slot intermediate the first beam member and the second beam member;
• disposing the first slotted beam atop and perpendicular to the first ends of the plurality of pipes exposed at the first excavation site;
• disposing the second slotted beam atop and perpendicular to the second ends of the plurality of pipes exposed at the second excavation site;
• providing a first plurality of cross members having a length sufficient to span the slot of the first slotted beam;
• providing a second plurality of cross members having a length sufficient to span the slot of the second slotted beam;
• disposing the first plurality of cross members on the first slotted beam to span the slot of the first slotted beam;
• disposing the second plurality of cross members on the second slotted beam to span the slot of the second slotted beam;
• providing an elongate and flexible first lacing member having a first end and a second end;
• securing the first end of the first lacing member to the first end of the first slotted beam;
• interlacing the first lacing member in a repeating pattern of which a cycle of the repeating pattern includes the first lacing member extending around the first end of one of the plurality of pipes on which the first slotted beam rests, through the slot of the first slotted beam, around an adjacent one of the plurality of cross members atop the first slotted beam and proximal to the first end of the one of the plurality of pipes, and through the slot of the first slotted beam towards another of the plurality of pipes that is adjacent to the one of the plurality of pipes;
• pulling the first lacing member taut to urge the first ends of the plurality of pipes against an underside of the first slotted beam and to urge the first plurality of cross members against a topside of the first slotted beam;
• securing the second end of the first lacing member to the second end of the first slotted beam to retain the first ends of the plurality of pipes against the underside of the first slotted beam;
• providing an elongate and flexible second lacing member having a first end and a second end;
• securing the first end of the second lacing member to the first end of the second slotted beam;
• interlacing the second lacing member in a repeating pattern of cycles, each cycle of which includes the second lacing member extending around the second end of one of the plurality of pipes on which the second slotted beam rests, through the slot of the second slotted beam, around an adjacent one of the plurality of cross members atop the second slotted beam and proximal to the second end of the one of the plurality of pipes, and through the slot of the second slotted beam towards another of the plurality of pipes that is adjacent to the one of the plurality of pipes;
• pulling the second lacing member taut to urge the second ends of the plurality of pipes against an underside of the second slotted beam and to urge the second plurality of cross members against a topside of the second slotted beam;
• and
• securing the second end of the second lacing member to the second end of the second slotted beam to retain the second ends of the plurality of pipes against the underside of the second slotted beam;
• wherein the first and second slotted beams, the first and second pluralities of cross members, and the plurality of pipes, secured together in this method, provide a platform on which the tree and rootball can be moved with minimal damage to the rootball.