Care in Planting Trees 177 



experienced in conifers. A cool, moist September calls 

 for earlier, a dry and warm montli for later planting, and 

 if drouthy conditions continue, the planting is best deferred 

 to the spring season. 



The best time for conifers, which terminate root growth 

 early in the fall, and retain their foliage during winter (with 

 few exceptions Hke Larch, Bald Cypress, etc.), is shortly 

 before vegetation starts anew in spring, the roots beginning 

 their activity before the buds. 



If planting in summer becomes necessary, this is best 

 done after the period of rest in the root activity, which occurs 

 in the driest month, varying with the seasons, but in general 

 occurring in July to August. Some have advocated trans- 

 planting conifers preferably in August, but there is no 

 special reason for this preference except the lull in the vege- 

 tative activity, and the weather conditions may often be 

 the opposite of favorable at that season. It is successful 

 when rainy weather follows. 



Winter planting should be practised only when it is to 

 be done with a ball of earth which can then be frozen, per- 

 mitting transfer without disturbance of root system. 



The frost-heaving which is apt to occur in high elevations 

 and northern latitudes when trees are transplanted late in 

 the fall can be prevented by placing sod or other mulching 

 around the tree. 



The size of the plant material influences the success of 

 the planting more than is reaHzed by many planters. The 

 desire to secure a tree of good form and size is often better 

 subserved by planting a small one and biding the time 

 needed for its growth than planting at once a larger size. 

 There are two reasons for surer success of smaller trees, 

 namely, the fact that they can be more readily taken up 

 without loss of root, and because the necessary care in their 



