ESTABLISHING FORESTS BY PLANTING 



429 



The usual method of spade planting is setting the plants in 

 square holes. 1 The spade is inserted in a vertical position on 

 the 4 sides of the soil to be removed. When completed, the 

 hole is square in cross section, usually from 6 to 8 inches on a side, 

 and from 7 to 12 inches deep, depending upon the size of the 

 plants. Planting with the spade in square holes is not suited 

 for compact, heavy soils, neither can it be practiced on soils filled 

 with rocks or roots. Two-man planting units are necessary. One 

 workman goes ahead digging the holes at the desired intervals. 

 The removed earth is placed 

 adjacent to the hole so that the 

 best filling soil can be quickly 

 brought into contact with the 

 roots in setting the plants. 

 The second workman follows 

 immediately after the workman 

 digging the holes and plants the 

 trees. The excavated soil should 

 not be permitted to become dry 

 before the trees are set. The 

 tree is lowered into the center 

 of the hole with the left hand 

 slightly below the position that 

 it will occupy when planted. 



FIG. 131. Planting hammer for 

 planting small coniferous trees in 

 the field. 



The best filling soil is gradually 

 brought into contact with the 

 roots and at the same time the 

 tree is raised to the desired position. The roots are spread and the 

 soil pressed about them with the right hand. The remainder of 

 the soil is now filled in either with the hand or with the trowel and 

 adequately compressed with the feet. From 300 to 400 conif- 

 erous transplants, 3 or 4 years old, can be planted by each work- 

 man in a day. 



16. HOLE PLANTING WITH THE PLANTING HAMMER AND SIMILAR 

 TOOLS. The planting hammer has not been used in the United 

 States but is often used in Europe for planting small stock when a 

 shallow planting hole will suffice (Fig. 131). It is particularly 

 useful in planting 1- and 2-year seedling conifers on cultivated 



1 Bates, C. G. and Pierce, R. G. : Reforestation of the sand hills of Nebraska 

 and Kansas. (U. S. Forest Service, Bui. 121, p. 41. 1913.) 



