11 



the surface of the ground, and on the portion above the surface there 

 should be at least two or three buds. The trees when planted in 

 groves should be planted pure, from 6 to 8 feet apart each way. 



WHITE ELM (Ulmus americana) . 



White elm, while not of especially rapid growth, is well adapted 

 to planting on the plains. It is a deep-rooted tree of great hardi- 

 ness, and is capable of enduring extremes of temperature and mois- 

 ture. It reaches its best development, however, on deep, fertile, 

 well-drained, alluvial soils. 



The wood of white elm is valuable for use in the manufacture of 

 slack cooperage, for flooring, wheel stock, and for the manufacture 

 of agricultural implements. Since it is not durable in contact with 

 the soil it has little value as fence-post timber. The hardiness of 

 the tree and its indifference to soil conditions make it suitable for 

 protective planting, while its graceful, spreading form gives it par- 

 ticular value for ornamental planting. 



One-year-old seedlings, from 5 to 10 inches high, should be used in 

 establishing the plantation. The use of older and larger stock is 

 sometimes desirable, but in most cases 1-year-old plants are best 

 for commercial plantations. Where the seedling has formed a long 

 root, this should be cut back to 6 inches and the top pruned 

 correspondingly. 



Spacing will vary with local conditions. In general, moderately 

 close planting is best. Six feet apart each way will be satisfactory. 

 In later life the plantation should be thinned to encourage proper 

 development of the remaining trees. 



White elm thrives in pure stands, but will also grow well in mix- 

 tures. If mixed plantations are established the associated species 

 should be tolerant and of slower growth than white elm. Hackberry 

 is well suited for this purpose. 



HACKBERRY (Celtis occidentalis) . 



Hackberry is not a commercially important tree, but throughout 

 this region it may be planted as a shade tree and, in mixture with 

 other species, for windbreaks. The low economic value of its wood, 

 except for fuel, makes its use inadvisable where better trees can be 

 grown. It is an excellent shade tree and rivals the white elm in 

 many of the western cities. 



Hackberry will, of course, thrive better on a fertile soil than on a 

 poor one, but its ability to thrive on almost sterile soils is one of its- 

 best qualities. It is characteristic of hackberry to live and bear seed 

 in situations where almost any other tree would die. It thrives best 



[Cir. 99] 



