100 FOREST PLANTING. 



but in cold climates like ours, spring planting is to be 

 preferred, as only at that time new roots are formed, 

 through which the tree can obtain the sap necessary for 

 the support of the top growth. In such a case the trees 

 to be transplanted should be taken up in fall, and 

 heeled in, till planting time in spring arrives. This 

 treatment facilitates spring planting very much. 



3. All trees should be planted a little higher above the 

 ground than they previously stood; * at least they should 

 never be set deeper. In this respect the place from which 

 they are taken makes no difference, be it the nursery or 

 the woods. It is often the case that workmen without 

 experience do the planting, and not making the proper 

 allowance for the looseness of the soil, set trees too 

 deep into the hole. This treatment kills a great many 

 trees during the second year after transplanting and 

 more often prevents their luxuriant growth. But if 

 trees are planted a little higher out of the ground than 

 they previoulsy stood, they develop a better and quicker 

 growth, have a longer life time, and will give better tim- 

 ber of an even texture. 



All top trimming or shortening of the main branches 

 should be avoided, even with deciduous trees, except 

 when, in taking up, the roots are much bruised or 

 broken, and, therefore, have to be shortened in order to 

 obtain smooth ends of the roots and fibres. In such a 

 case the top has to be cut back so far as to restore the 

 proportion in which crown and root system were 

 prior to the removal. Transplanting causes a great 

 disturbance in the life of a plant, arresting the cir- 



* The only exception to this rule is the planting of one-year-old Pine 

 seedlings in very poor soil. In such ground the seedling should be buried 

 BO deep that only its top shows above the soil. How F. B. Hough, in 

 his " Elements of Forestry," on page 55, arrives at the conclusion that 

 " as a rule trees in transplanting should be set deeper than they stood 

 before," is more than we can comprehend, as experts in this matter 

 agree in accepting the reverse to be true. 



