PROTECTING TREES FROM SUNBURN 1Q5 



but where late planting is necessary, mulching will help the trees 

 to pull through. It is a far easier way of keeping the ground moist 

 than by irrigating, but is not a substitute for it where systematic 

 irrigation is necessary, though irrigation may often be lessened, and 

 in some cases obviated, by extra cultivation or mulching, at least 

 until the trees come into bearing. 



Guarding Against Sunburn. Newly-set trees should be pro- 

 tected against sunburn. This can be easily done by winding strips 

 of burlap from old grain sacks spirally around the stems beginning 

 just below the ground surface to the points where the young shoots 

 will appear. When these start the strip can be loosened and re- 

 wound so as to protect the bark between the shoots. The top can 

 be fastened with a stitch or two with a twine needle. Manufactured 

 "tree protectors" of paper or rushes which are readily adjusted 

 around the trees are now largely sold. 



Whitewashing is the most widely used preventive of sun-burning 

 not only for young trees, but for old trees which may have bark ex- 

 posed through pruning, grafting, etc. Sun-burning is not confined 

 to summer time, therefore whitewash should be continually in place 

 and durable whitewash is a desideratum. The following are good 

 preparations : 



First, slake 62 pounds (one bushel) of quicklime in 12 gallons of 

 hot water. Second, dissolve two pounds of common table salt and 

 one pound of zinc sulphate in two gallons of boiling water. Pour 

 the salt and zinc mixture into the lime and then add two gallons of 

 skim-milk and mix thoroughly. If skim-milk is not handy, four 

 pounds of flour boiled in four gallons of water may be substituted. 

 For use thin with cold water to flow well. 



Another recipe is this : Dissolve five pounds of salt in six gallons 

 of hot water and use this to slake thirty pounds of lime, stirring in 

 four pounds of cheap tallow (or heavy oil or any other old grease) 

 while the lime is still hot from slaking. Add water to the consistency 

 desired. 



For use with a spray pump it is necessary to strain through bur- 

 lap or a fine wire screen. 



The use of white lead and oil paint has seriously injured young 

 bark and is dangerous. 



Cutting Back at Planting. Whatever idea the grower may have 

 as to shaping his tree, it must be cut back when planted. Lifting 

 from the nursery has removed a considerable part of the root system 

 of the young tree and the top must be reduced accordingly. The 

 planter who dislikes to sacrifice the fine top will sacrifice future 

 growth and vigor by retaining it. The tree may struggle through 

 and regain strength, but it will for years be smaller than if it had 

 been properly cut back at planting. If the moisture supply should 

 be short the tree may die the first summer which would have sur- 

 vived if differently treated at planting. The manner of cutting 

 back depends somewhat upon the style of pruning to be followed 

 afterward, as will be considered in the next chapter. 



