RECLAMATION OF THE LANDSCAPE 323 



P.P. & L. purchased over 250,000 seedlings from private nurseries 

 and they were planted last year around 33 communities by 2,700 

 volunteers from 139 organizations. This spring an additional 

 225,000 seedlings were planted through the same type of cooperative 

 endeavor. 



The proper choice of species, and their positions in a roadside 

 screen, are important for rapid initial effects and for long-time shield- 

 ing. Slow-growing evergreens like the spruces, which hold their 

 branches for many years, should be planted in the front portion of 

 a screen. The central portion should consist of faster growing ever- 

 greens, such as pines. The portion farthest from the road should 

 be planted by still faster growing species, which can be deciduous. 



It should be stressed that efforts must be concentrated on planting 

 seedlings because of the ease of planting them and because of the vast 

 areas to be planted. Balled and burlapped stock could require fer- 

 tilizer, lime, and great quantities of water. Seedlings have a much 

 better chance to establish themselves. 



Whether we plant seedlings or ball and burlap stock, we can never 

 expect 1 00 percent survival. Too many factors enter into the picture 

 which could cause the death of a tree even before planting. Trans- 

 portation, exposing roots to the air before planting, and even the 

 method of planting could cause death of the tree. However, we 

 can expect a high percentage of the trees to survive. 



Planting areas are selected on the basis of their suitability for 

 planting and the physical results which they render. In all cases, 

 P.P. & L.'s forester prepares a soil analysis of each planting site and 

 recommends the species to plant in that particular area. 



We are hopeful the screen plantings will be completed within an- 

 other two years. 



What has been our experience to date on this program and what 

 do we see ahead? 



1 . Operation Trees was designed as a volunteer self-help program. 

 A good part of the plantings have been made by youth groups. We 

 feel this has been one of the most important aspects of the entire 

 activity the willingness on the part of the young people to actively 

 participate in beautifying their home areas. 



2. We found that changes are continually occurring in the status 

 of potential planting sites. A few examples under governmental 

 programs some of the huge culm banks are being utilized to flush 

 nearby deep-mined areas; the Pennsylvania Department of Mines 



