82 TREES AS GOOD CITIZENS 



Cloudy days are best for planting. Strong sunlight 

 or wind is harmful in that it causes rapid drying out of the 

 roots. The tree should be placed without delay in the 

 waiting hole prepared with its own earth or with the 

 earth and compost brought from elsewhere. 



The tree should be set into the hole with roots spread- 

 ing naturally, and not crossed nor folded. If any roots 

 are broken or seriously damaged, they should be cut off 

 with a clean cut to provide a good surface from which new 

 roots may start. In filling the hole, finely pulverized 

 earth should be worked in by hand or a small ramming 

 stick, so that it completely occupies all the space around 

 the roots and under them. Enough pressure should be 

 applied in this process to cause the earth to surround the 

 roots firmly and compactly. To this end it is essential to 

 use only moderately moist earth. Wet earth is injurious, 

 as it will pack and become brick-like on drying and so 

 impenetrable to the young rootlets, unless it is extremely 

 sandy. Firmly embedded roots are necessary to enable 

 the tree to hold its position and not work loose. The 

 filling and compacting should be continued to a point 

 2 or 3 inches below the level of the ground. If water- 

 ing is done, it should be at this point, and it should 

 be done so thoroughly that the moisture will reach the 

 entire root system. In humid regions it is not usual to 

 water at transplanting, if deciduous trees not over 4 or 5 

 inches in diameter are transplanted while dormant. 

 In time of drouth in dry countries, for large or evergreen 

 trees, or for trees that have started to push their foliage, 

 watering is frequently necessary. Tamping or compact- 

 ing of the soil after wetting will be injurious. As a final 

 step in planting, a layer of pulverized earth should 

 be placed over the compacted or wet soil and left 

 loose, to facilitate air and water circulation. When trees 



