Obs. [ad. L. ablaqueātiōnem, n. of action f. ablaqueā-re: see prec.] The breaking up or removal of the soil around the roots of trees; the laying bare of roots.
c. 1420. Palladius on Husb., II. 1. Alle Januerie ablaqueacion The vynes axe in places temporate.
a. 1600. ? Lambarde, Office of Alienations. If it be suffered to starve by want of ablaqueation and other good husbandry.
1664. Evelyn, Kal. Hort. (1729), 190. Dig borders, &c. Uncover, as yet, roots of trees where ablaqueation is requisite.
1725. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Fir tree, They abhor all stercoration, nor will they endure much to have the earth opened about their roots for ablaqueation. [Johnson 1755 and in later Dicts.]
