Systematic Street Tree Planting. 25 



removed or buried the best soil for plant growth. It is 

 essential to provide good soil before street trees are planted. 

 Tpoii this provision the success in planting is dependent to 

 a large extent. Without a good soil in which to develop a 

 strong root-system, the tree cannot make a growth which will 

 enable it to withstand successfully the many attacks of 

 fungus disease and insect enemies to which it may be sub- 

 jected during its life. When the soil where the tree is to be 

 located is sterile or impoverished, fertile soil should be pro- 

 vided to replace that which is poor. It is from the soil that 

 the tree obtains a large part of its food and moisture, and 

 when these are lacking the tree soon begins to fail, with 

 resulting death. 



There are few sorts of shade trees that thrive in surround- 

 ings where there is no supply of direct sunlight or where the 

 atmosphere is filled with coal smoke, dust and noxious gases. 

 Where the surface of the immediate surroundings is paved, 

 special provisions must be made that the trees may be 

 afforded a fair chance to live. When trees are planted in 

 paved sidewalks, an opening should be made large enough to 

 admit a good supply of air and moisture. Usually- 3 feet 

 wide by 6 feet long is sufficient area for this opening. It is 

 a wonder that so many of our city street trees survive at all. 

 Many of them have been planted in poor soil ; little attention 

 has been given after planting; injuries have been inflicted 

 by many causes and these injuries have seldom been repaired. 

 The tree planter may assure himself of success by at least 

 supplying good soil and affording the tree reasonable protec- 

 tion after planting. 



WHEN TO PLANT STREET TREES. 



The deciduous shade trees, with the exception of a few 

 species, may be planted any time when the soil can be worked 

 after the leaves begin to drop in the autumn and before 

 growth has greatly progressed in the spring. Many planters 

 favor spring as, the proper season for setting new trees. It 

 is the more natural season for planting, as growth starts at 

 that time and the tree has a growing season before it so that 



