Care in Planting Trees 183 



have ample space, so as to avoid all interference and give 

 ample distance from disturbing effects. To gauge its 

 proper space, the planter must be somewhat famihar with 

 the spreading habit of the species, which may vary from 

 ten feet for many of the smaller conifers, to a hundred feet 

 and more for the spreading oaks. The space between 

 may then be filled out with temporary specimens, which 

 must be removed as soon as they begin interfering with the 

 favorite, or else with low shrubbery. 



For streets and avenues, where not the single specimen, 

 but a row loosely connected is desired, a distance of at 

 /least thirty to forty feet will suffice for the majority of species 

 that are usually planted, and leave enough space to permit 

 free circulation of air and light. With low trees this may 

 be reduced to fifteen to twenty feet. Contrary to orthodox 

 belief, the writer would not hesitate for the sake of quicker 

 shading effect, to put temporary trees half way between the 

 permanent ones, even of a different species, to be removed 

 when the latter require it. But, to be sure, the same lack 

 of judicious use of the axe at the proper time, as is usual in 

 the parks, is apt to frustrate the results of such a plan. 



When planting groups, where not the form of the single 

 specimen, but the combination of foliage of different kind 

 is sought, when a judicious combination of shade-enduring 

 slow growers, and light-needing rapid growers is made, a 

 distance varying between five and fifteen feet, and with low 

 shrubbery even closer, will usually be found satisfactory. 



The tendency is always to plant closer th?n desirable, nor 

 is it objectionable, provided the planting is thinned out at 

 the proper time by the use of the axe or by removing and 

 transplanting undesirable or interfering parts. 



