A cherry tree looks out across the athletic field following its recent transplant from a lower location to the top of the hill next to the running track.

The tree was moved using a new method in which an "air spade" removes soil from the plant's roots with a powerful jet of air, allowing for extraction from the ground without damage to its fine roots, explained Michael Marcotrigiano, director of the Botanic Garden. "When fine roots are preserved and the tree is immediately moved to the new location, the outcome can be better," he said, "because water uptake is primarily from fine roots and having more of them keeps the transplanting shock to a minimum."

In the background, the ground surface is being prepared for new artificial turf.

The cherry tree transplant was conducted last week by the local tree care company C. L. Frank & Company.