136 



Trees, Stars, and Birds 



not always best to trim the central stem or leader, as a 

 forked tree may be the result. Hardwood trees, like 



the oak and beech, should 

 not have the central stem 

 trimmed. Evergreens should 

 not be pruned. 



If the soil does not pack 

 well or if a large tree is to be 

 planted in an exposed place, 

 wire supports should be pro- 

 vided. Chafing of the tree 

 should be prevented by the 

 use of burlap or pieces of old 

 garden hose through which 

 the wire is run before being 

 fastened to the tree. 



Transplanting large trees. 

 If there is reason for trans- 

 planting a tree 6 or 8 inches 

 in diameter, it is best to pre- 

 FIG. 8 9 . A transplanted tree pare it for transplanting a year 



should be supported until the new . 



roots have taken hold in the soil. * n advance of the actual 



operation. This may be done 



by trenching around at a distance of 3 or 4 feet from 

 the trunk and filling the trench with loose earth and 

 manure. This filling will keep out frost, and the tree 

 will develop a sufficient system of feeding roots within 

 the earth that must be taken with it, so that it is more 

 likely to survive than if it were taken up without -this 

 preparation. Trees of this diameter have been success- 

 fully transplanted while the ground was still frozen. 



