68 HORTICULTURE, FORESTRY, FLORICULTURE 



most cases this will be about 15 to 18 inches square. As a usual 

 thing the root system should not be reduced just to make it go into 

 the hole even though this is the easier and quicker method. 



Where the soil is heavy and compact and has not been put in 

 proper condition of tilth prior to planting, the hole should be con- 

 siderably larger. In this way the soil in the bottom of the hole may 

 be loosened as well as that at the sides of the hole and the root sys- 

 tem given a better chance to develop. 



With normal soil conditions the depth will be largely influenced 

 by the height of the head, although there are other influencing fac- 

 tors. The general rule is to set the tree somewhat deeper than it 

 was in the nursery. Horticulturists differ as to the best depth for 

 planting, but usually advise from 3 to 5 inches deeper than in the 

 nursery. Root grafted trees, which are mostly used, should be set 

 low enough so that the union of the stock and scion comes some dis- 

 tance below the surface. 



Where one desires low-headed trees, and has been unable to se- 

 cure them, the height of the head may be somewhat reduced by deep 

 planting. If this is done, however, it should not be carried to ex- 

 tremes even if necessary to sacrifice something in height of head. 

 It is probably not best to set trees much if any over 8 inches deeper 

 than they were in the nursery. Roots placed too far below the sur- 

 face are unable to perform their function as well as if nearer the top 

 of the ground. 



Root Pruning. Root pruning is one of the essentials to best re- 

 sults in planting trees. As a rule, more than enough of the root sys- 

 tem has been removed by the nurseryman in digging and so farther 

 reduction is not desirable from that standpoint alone. Injury in 

 digging and shipping, however, makes slight root pruning before 

 planting desirable. The object should be to put the root system in 

 as good shape with the slightest amount of removal as possible. Prac- 

 tically no attention need be given the small roots. The ends of the 

 large ones, however, will demand attention as the wounds in digging 

 are left rough and splintered. The ends of roots should be cut back 

 far enough to secure smooth wounds to facilitate healing. Badly 

 broken or split roots should be removed. 



Root Distribution. The roots should be as well distributed 

 around the tree in planting as possible. Frequently they are prac- 

 tically all on one side, and under such conditions it is difficult if not 

 impossible to have them properly distributed. In such cases care 

 should be taken to have the greater part of the roots on the side on 

 which they will give the greatest support to the tree. The chief 

 thing to consider will be the prevailing wind. 



Slant of Tree in Planting. It is usually a good practice to 

 slant the tree more or less when planting. The amount of inclina- 

 tion varies in different sections depending mainly upon exposure to 

 high winds. Slanting at an angle of 8 or 10 degrees will usually 

 suffice. Not only does this inclination help prevent the trees from 

 becoming up-rooted, but it also aids in protecting the trunk against 

 sun scald. On hilly sites the trees should be inclined up hill even 



