ESTABLISHING FORESTS BY PLANTING 393 



in underplanting with small hardwoods, although it has been suc- 

 cessfully used in planting 1- and 2-year pine. 1 



In all other methods of planting, the trees should stand erect. 

 Slovenly methods of planting, more particularly the crowding of 

 the trees into planting holes that are too small or too shallow, 

 invariably tend to throw the plants from an erect position or else 

 to bend them at the collar, particularly when set at the side of the 

 planting hole. Moreover, when the planting hole is too shallow, 

 the root system is thrown out of its natural position in the ground. 



An intimate contact between the particles of fresh soil and the 

 roots can be attained only by thoroughly firming the soil about 

 the roots at the time of planting. A slight firming of the surface 

 soil after the hole has been filled is insufficient. It is important 

 that the soil be compressed about the roots to the very bottom of 

 the planting hole. When the soil is loose about the roots, air spaces 

 are likely to occur, the root hairs are not in intimate contact with 

 the soil particles, and the plants suffer from the lack of moisture. 



37. Advantages in Using Small Planting Material 



Although trees of all ages may be planted, age in silvicultural 

 operations is limited by the size and weight of the stock and the 

 cost involved. In forestry operations in the United States, only 

 trees under 5 years of age need be considered. Broadleaved 

 species should seldom be used when more than 2 years of age, 

 and conifers when more than 4. In European practice some- 

 what older trees are sometimes used, but the high cost is seldom, 

 if ever, justified in the United States. 



As a general rule, small plants are best because the operation of 

 handling, transport, and planting is much less expensive. The 

 roots of small plants are injured less in lifting and transport, and 

 consequently they more easily survive the interruption of growth 

 due to the planting. Furthermore, they adjust themselves more 

 readily to new conditions. 



38. The Necessity for Pruning Young Trees before Planting 



As a general rule, plants used in forest practice should not be 

 pruned unless it is absolutely necessary. European researches 

 clearly show that the unhealthy condition of planted forests is 



1 Mayr, Heinrich: Waldbau auf naturgesetzlicher Grundlage. S. 421. 

 Berlin, 1909. 



