CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE 



THE CARE OF TREES 



In all the range of Nature there is no object which so commonly 

 inspires the tenderer and finer emotions, and which would leave the 

 earth so bare of loveliness if it were to be removed. L. H. BAILEY 



GOOD trees are highly prized by those who know their 

 worth, but like other valuable things they require care. 

 Furthermore, it is true of trees, as of persons, that it is 

 much better to keep them in good condition than to 

 allow their health to be impaired and then attempt to 

 restore it. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of 

 cure in tree growing as well as in other activities of life. 



The needs of trees. Trees need light, air, water, and 

 suitable soil. The part above ground will get air 

 enough, but not always enough light. A compact clay 

 soil does not admit air enough to the roots, nor does a 

 soil continually saturated with water. The water level 

 should not be lowered very much at one time by ditching, 

 for the tree may suffer from the abrupt change. Like- 

 wise, if grading demands filling in around the tree, it is 

 best to use materials like sand and gravel that will not 

 exclude air, and to avoid raising the level of the ground 

 more than 8 or 10 inches in one year. Sometimes a 

 well is left around the trunk of the tree to admit air, 

 the top being covered with a grating. In the New York 

 Zoological Garden many animal cages with concrete 

 floors were built around large trees. The floors were 

 raised a foot or more above the ground, and circular 

 openings around the trunk admitted air to the roots while 

 iron guards protected the trees from injury by the 

 animals. 



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