System and method for growing and installing a plant
Systems and methods for growing and installing a tree having the roots expand generally radially outward and substantially not down by a horizontal root system planter comprising a base structure and a wall. The horizontal root system planter encourages roots of a tree to grow radially outwardly and substantially not down. In addition to a horizontal root system planter, systems and methods include a tool for tree transporting, digging, and planting operations comprising a box and a blade. The blade is configured for breaking ground and also for supporting a horizontal root system planter.
1 . A horizontal root system planter for receiving a plant, the planter comprising:
a base structure, wherein the base structure has a length, a width, a perimeter, and an area; and;
a flexible wall extending upwardly from the base structure and defining at least a portion of both an exterior and interior surface of the planter, wherein the wall has a height that is less than half the length of the base structure; the wall extending substantially around the base structure at or adjacent the perimeter,
wherein the base structure and the wall define a space for roots of the plant to grow; and
wherein the length of the base structure and the height of the wall are configured to encourage the roots to grow radially outwardly and not substantially downwardly, causing root tips to grow towards the wall, and wherein the flexible wall is configured to trap and cause the death of the root tips therein, and produce lateral roots behind the dead root tip.
2 . The planter of claim 1 , wherein the wall has a height of no greater than 12 inches.
3 . The planter of claim 1 , wherein the base structure includes a base substructure and a frame, wherein the base substructure comprises a deck and support members.
4 . The planter of claim 3 , wherein the wall is provided within the frame.
5 . The planter of claim 1 , wherein the wall extends along a perimeter of the base structure.
6 . The planter of claim 1 , wherein the wall includes a plurality of pockets engineered into the panels, the pockets are configured to trap tree roots therein.
7 . The planter of claim 1 , wherein the wall is removably affixed to the base structure and is configured to be removed before the plant is planted in the ground.
8 . The planter of claim 7 , wherein the wall is configured to be reusable.
9 . The planter of claim 1 , wherein the base structure has a deck comprising a plurality of boards, each board having a first end and a second end.
10 . The planter of claim 9 , wherein the deck includes a first support piece extending along the first ends of the boards and a second support piece extending along the second ends of the boards.
11 . The planter of claim 9 , wherein the deck covers a majority of the area of the base structure.
12 . The planter of claim 9 , wherein the wall is biodegradable.
13 . The planter of claim 9 , wherein the deck further includes an upwardly extending frame and the wall is attached to the upwardly extending frame.
14 . The planter of claim 9 , wherein the deck further includes an upwardly extending frame comprising two or more corner posts.
15 . The planter of claim 14 , wherein the upwardly extending frame comprises first, second, third, and fourth corner posts and first, second, third, and fourth upper members, wherein the first upper member extends between the first and second corner posts, the second upper member extends between the second and third corner posts, the third upper member extends between third and fourth corner posts, and the fourth upper member extends between fourth and first corner posts.
16 . The planter of claim 15 , further comprising first and second laterally extending members, wherein the first laterally extending member extends colinearly with the first upper member and the second laterally extending member extends colinearly with the third laterally extending member.
17 . The planter of claim 9 , wherein the wall extends upwardly from the base structure perpendicular to the deck.
18 . A horizontal root system planter for receiving a plant, the planter comprising:
a base structure configured to support the plant when the plant is planted in the ground,
wherein the base structure has a length, a width, a perimeter, and an area; and;
a flexible wall extending upwardly from and perpendicular to the base structure, the wall defining at least a portion of an exterior surface of the planter the wall extending substantially around the base structure at or adjacent the perimeter, wherein the wall has a height that no greater than 12 inches and less than half the length of the base structure, wherein the wall is removable from the base structure;
wherein the base structure and the wall define a space for roots of the plant to grow; and
wherein the length of the base structure and the height of the wall are configured to encourage the roots to grow radially outwardly and not substantially downwardly, causing root tips to grow towards the wall, and wherein the flexible wall is configured to trap and cause the death of the root tips therein.
19 . The horizontal root system planter of claim 18 , wherein the wall includes a plurality of pockets engineered into the panels, the pockets are configured to trap tree roots therein.
20 . A system for growing a plant, the system comprising:
(a) a horizontal root system planter for receiving a plant, the planter comprising;
a base structure, wherein the base structure has a length, a width, and an area; and;
a flexible wall extending upwardly from the base structure and defining at least a portion of an exterior and interior surface of the planter, wherein the wall has a height that is less than half the length of the base structure and wherein the wall has a height of no greater than 12 inches,
wherein the base structure and the wall define a space for roots of the plant to grow; and
wherein the length of the base structure and the height of the wall are configured to encourage the roots to grow radially outwardly and not substantially downwardly, causing root tips to grow towards the wall, and wherein the flexible wall is configured to trap and cause the death of the root tips therein and produce lateral roots behind the dead root tip, and wherein wall includes a plurality of pockets engineered into the panels, the pockets are configured to trap tree roots therein;
(b) a tip tray configured for transporting the horizontal root system in a tipped orientation, the tip tray including a platform configured to accept the base structure; and
(c) a planting tool comprising a box and a blade, the blade including a support surface configured to accept the base structure.