ESTABLISHING FORESTS BY PLANTING 401 



the most successful and economic manner. Only a compara- 

 tively small number, however, are generally practiced in this 

 country. 



In general, all planting methods can be classified under the fol- 

 lowing heads: 



a. Planting with the roots enclosed in a ball of earth. 



6. Planting with the roots naked. 



3. PLANTING WITH THE ROOTS ENCLOSED IN A 

 BALL OF EARTH 



Trees lifted with the soil attached to the roots are known as 

 "balled plants." The use of such stock insures the greatest 

 degree of success and the least interruption of growth after plant- 

 ing. It is especially suitable for the planting of very young and 

 tender plants. With larger plants, the labor involved in lifting 

 and planting and the cost of transport are prohibitive. When the 

 work is properly done, few of the trees fail to grow. It is far too 

 expensive for general silvicultural operations and is chiefly con- 

 fined to special operations and to decorative planting where cost 

 is of secondary consideration. The "balling" of the roots is 

 chiefly confined to conifers and evergreen broadleaved species. 

 It is seldom necessary to ball the roots of deciduous species when 

 used in silvicultural operations. 



The use of balled stock in silvicultural operations in the United 

 States is justified only in the following special cases: 



a. When quick results are desired and cost is of secondary 

 importance. 



b. On adverse sites where naked-rooted plants are likely to fail. 



c. When the planting operation is done out of season. 



d. With certain tender plants, as in the various species of 

 Eucalyptus. 



Species that produce a spreading root system when young, as 

 is the case with hemlock, spruce, and most pines, can be balled 

 to better advantage than those that develop a long tap root with 

 few short laterals. 



It is impractical to attempt to lift trees with balls of earth when 

 the soil is filled with stones or roots, or when it is loose, sandy, 

 or gravelly. Clay-loam free from all obstructions is the best 

 soil. 



