Half a ton of water is used daily to water transplanted Canadian spruces at the VSU Botanical Garden

May 4, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Half a ton of water is used daily to water Canadian fir trees transplanted to the Botanical Garden of Vitebsk State University from Victory Square. This was announced today to journalists by the director of the municipal unitary enterprise "Zelmstroy" Andrei Shiroky, a BELTA correspondent reports. Due to the relocation of the center of Vitebsk from Freedom Square to Victory Square, landscapers had to carry out a unique operation to transplant 20 fir trees, the average age of which is about 50 years. According to Andrei Shiroky, the technology of transplanting large trees has been tested and proven, but landscapers have never had to transplant such old ones before. To maximize the preservation of the root system, the trees had to be dug up with a clod of earth 3 m in diameter. In addition, soil from the place where each fir tree was dug up was added under it. The Botanical Garden was thoroughly prepared to receive the newcomers. Wheat grains were planted in the planting pits so that as the cereals germinate and rot, they would create an environment for the formation of mycelium that nourishes the root system of the fir tree. Each planted tree was reinforced with special cables, which will help the still unrooted fir trees to withstand strong gusts of wind. However, all these measures may be useless without a constant supply of moisture, so half a ton of water will be poured under each coniferous beauty daily, regardless of precipitation, said Andrei Shiroky. During the reconstruction, in addition to fir trees, maples, rare species of lilac and bird cherry, cork oak, and ornamental shrubs were transplanted from Victory Square. A total of 20 large trees and 30 shrubs found a new home in the Soviet Army Park, on the streets and in the courtyards of the city. As compensation for the loss of green spaces, the city budget received Br53.8 million from the customer of the reconstruction - the capital construction department. In accordance with the decision of the city executive committee, these funds will be used for landscaping the city. As reported earlier, the reconstruction of Victory Square in Vitebsk is scheduled to be completed by May 9, 2010. The first stage of landscaping the square should be completed by May 9 of this year, the second - by Independence Day. The third phase, the main one, should be completed by the 65th anniversary of the Great Victory, which is celebrated next year. Mass socio-cultural events will be held on Victory Square. Branded stores of Vitebsk manufacturers, snack bars and cafes will be located along the perimeter of the main square of the regional center. -0-