THE PLANTING OF STREET-TREES 95 



Stakes fifteen feet long are used which are driven to a 

 depth of three feet, thus leaving twelve feet above ground. 

 The tree is tied to the stake at two or three places by means 

 of one-fourth inch Manila rope slipped through a piece 

 of three-quarter inch rubber hose, Plate 23, Fig. 1. The 

 pieces of hose are about eight or nine inches long. The 

 rope is slipped through them, is wrapped around the tree 

 and a double knot is tied, then the ends of the rope are tied 

 around the stake. In that way the stem of the tree does 

 not come in contact with the stake. If only possible, the 

 stake is driven on the side of the tree contrary to the 

 direction of the prevailing winds, so that the tree will be 

 blown away from the stake and chafing will be minimized. 



The stakes should not be of sawn lumber but of young 

 growth, about three and one-half inches at the bottom 

 and two inches at the top. To make the stakes more 

 durable, they should be tarred to a distance of about four 

 feet from the bottom. Stakes usually rot at the ground 

 level. By leaving them tarred a foot above ground this 

 will be prevented. The bark should be removed to the 

 required distance and the stakes covered with molten 

 pitch. 



The stakes are placed about ten inches from the base of 

 the tree. When tree-guards of small diameter are used, the 

 stakes may be placed on the outside ; or, if the guards permit 

 it, the supports may be inside. To drive the stake easily a 

 hole is made in the ground with a crowbar, flaring out at 

 the bottom to a cross-section of about two inches square and 

 terminating in a sharp point. The stakes are driven with a 

 sledge hammer, "A" ladders, eighteen feet high, being used 

 by the workmen to get up to the required height, as shown 

 in Plate 23, Figs. 4 and 5. 



