Systematic Street Tree Planting. 37 



PLANTING. 



In the soil which has been previously prepared a hole 

 should be dug large enough to receive the roots of the tree 

 extended in the same positions and the same depth below the 

 surface of the ground as when growing in the nursery. After 

 the roots have been spread out in a natural position, loose, 

 fine soil should be placed over them in thin layers. Each 

 layer of soil should be compactly distributed among the 

 fibrous roots before the succeeding layer is applied. After 

 several layers of soil have been packed, the tree may be 

 swayed gently and slightly in all directions and carefully 

 raised and lowered not more than an inch or two. After all 

 the roots have been covered with two or three inches of soil, 

 the planter may more firmly pack the soil by the use of a 

 blunt pointed stick, working the fine earth into the inter- 

 stices with care not to tear or break the fine fibrous feeders. 

 The hole should be nearly filled with loose earth which allows 

 air and moisture to reach the roots readily. Some sort of 

 material such as leaves, straw, compost, manure or other 

 litter may be used for the finishing cover which acts as a 

 mulch and conserves the moisture in the soil below by pre- 

 venting rapid evaporation. For the sake of appearance, a 

 light covering of clean sand or loam may be sprinkled over 

 the surface of the mulch. 



Grating, Guard and Stake will Afford Protection for a 

 Newly Planted Street Tree. 



If the tree has been planted in an opening in the sidewalk 

 pavement, an iron grating should be used for covering the 

 opening, thus preventing damage by traffic to the base of the 

 tree. Several kinds of grating for this protection are on the 

 market. A guard for the trunk should be placed so that no 

 part of it rubs against the bark. The stake for supporting 

 the tree and maintaining it in an upright position should be 

 driven in the ground two or three feet and the top attached 

 either to the guard or to the stem of the tree. In attaching 

 the stake directly to the tree, do so in such a manner as to 



