30 FORESTRY ALMANAC 



HOW TO PLANT TREES 



In planting a tree the first consideration is the kind of soil in 

 which the tree must grow, the climate and the species that will thrive. 

 Thought must be given to the location of the tree, the space it will 

 have in which to develop and the variety that grows best in the vicinity. 

 It is well, also, to consider whether it is not better to plant trees of 

 long life, such as the oak or sycamore, instead of trees like the silver 

 maple or poplar that mature after a short span of life. Whatever 

 the choice of the tree, it is deserving of careful thought. 



It may be that in nearby wooded sections there are many young 

 trees, saplings or evergreens. This, of course, makes an easy source 

 of supply, with the advantage of obtaining trees that live well in the 

 vicinity. Experience shows, on the other hand, that it is often more 

 satisfactory to buy nursery trees especially raised for transplanting. 

 As a piece of general advice it might be said that evergreens of five 

 feet in height and deciduous trees up to 12 feet, raised in a nursery, 

 will give the best results. 



Once the problem of selecting the proper trees has been solved, 

 there come the details of preparing for planting. Care must be taken 

 of the tree. The roots must not be bruised, or allowed to dry, and 

 moist earth should be kept around them until just before they are 

 put in the ground. This is extremely important, because a few 

 moments of ill-advised exposure of the roots to the sun, wind or dry 

 air will injure the future of the tree. 



Unless the delivery man has more than the average affection for 

 a tree, it is likely to arrive with some broken or bruised roots. These 

 should be pruned, and at the same time the top of the trees can be 

 shaped up. The pruning should be done cleanly with a sharp pruner. 



There are supporters of both spring and fall as the time for 

 planting deciduous trees. Both have good arguments. If one were 

 to lay down a general rule, however, it would be safe to say that all 

 trees except evergreens can be planted at any time during the period 

 between their going to sleep in the fall and awakening in the spring, 

 and when the ground is not frozen. In the northern states the early 

 spring is the best time for the inexperienced planter. Evergreens can 

 be put into the ground in the late spring and during the latter part of 

 August and the first of September. 



