38 College of Forestry. 



avoid injury in the swaying of the tree by the wind. It is 

 desirable to dip the pointed end of the stake in creosote to 

 preserve the wood against decay in the soil and to paint the 

 remainder of the stake with a dull dark green color. 



THE CARE OF STREET TREES AFTER PLANTING. 



WATERING AND MULCHING. 



After a tree has been planted properly the growth is not 

 assured unless care is given for the first year or two. The 

 greatest need of the newly planted tree is a well balanced 

 supply of moisture. This can be maintained by supplying 

 water artificially and conserving the soil moisture by mulch- 

 ing. The first principle to observe in watering is to apply 

 the water gradually and thoroughly enough to allow it to 

 reach the soil at least 18 inches below the surface. This 

 gradual watering is more like Nature's way than a heavy 

 application for a short period which washes the soil away 

 from the roots near the surface and reaches only deep enough 

 to allow the sun to bake a hard crust on the surface. Except 

 in a very severe drought, it is necessary only to water for the 

 first year and then only occasionally when the moisture is 

 conserved by mulching. 



Where only a few trees are to be watered, an effective 

 method is to bring a barrel of water near to the base of the 

 tree and allow the water to run slowly through a small open- 

 ing near the bottom of the barrel into the soil which has been 

 loosened by holes made with a sharp-pointed stick or bar. 

 About 10 gallons of water should be used for each appli- 

 cation. When trees in quantity are to be watered, it is best 

 to have a gang of men especially equipped for the work. The 

 soil should be formed about the base into a shallow basin 

 into which 10 gallons of water are poured. This should be 

 allowed to soak into the soil after which the surface about 

 the tree should be made smooth. The wet soil should be 

 covered with dry, fine soil or a mulch of leaves or straw. 



