HOW TO PLANT 71 



little above that which it had before being moved. 

 The roots will be spread out in a natural position 

 and finely pulverized earth sprinkled in among 

 them, the tree being given a gentle shaking as the 

 earth is filled back, so that all the intervals between 

 the roots will be well filled. When the filling is 

 complete, the earth should be packed by treading 

 around the newly planted tree. One reason for 

 placing the tree a little above its nursery height is 

 that the ground in its new position will settle, caus- 

 ing the tree also to settle, and when the tree is firmly 

 established and the ground about it compacted by 

 the settlement due to rains, frosts, and the passing 

 of the seasons, it should stand in the position it would 

 have occupied if grown from seed on the spot. No 

 mistake is more frequently made than that of plant- 

 ing trees too deep. Sometimes trees that have 

 died are found to be planted in a hole like a post with 

 the crown of the roots a foot or more below the sur- 

 face. Such trees are really smothered and have 

 little chance for life. 



Just before planting, the roots and branches of a 

 deciduous tree should be trimmed ; the roots being 

 cut back to where they are fresh and full of life and 

 the branches trimmed to reduce the number of buds 



