Securing the roots of a greener future
RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Having exposed the soil around the roots of a young tree, Des Cook and Charlie Robertson, both contractors, finish preparing the hole in which to plant it March 31, 2011. A lot of preparation is done before the trees can be placed in the holes; three concrete lintels are placed firmly at the bottom of the hole, then a metal cable is tied around each one, before being tightened with a metal ratchet. Each tree is then placed in the hole, before having special material put on top of it, and again being fastened with metal cables and tightened to firmly secure it. A watering tube is then put in before fertilizer and soil are used to fill the hole. This ensures the tree can be easily watered on a regular basis. (U.S. Air Force photo/Karen Abeyasekere)