PLANTING AND STAKING TREES 339 



consistency of the soil. After a tree is planted in 

 early autumn a mulching of rotten manure may be 

 given, but if the planting is done in spring the 

 mulching is better left until early summer when the 

 ground has become warmed. 



After planting, staking, where necessary, should 

 be attended to. It is not necessary to stake every 

 tree that is planted. When it is sturdy, with a well- 

 balanced head and set of roots, and the position is 

 not exposed to rough winds, staking is needless. If, 

 however, the stem is weak or the roots are mostly 

 on one side, not spread round the tree, or the 

 position is very exposed, staking for a time will be 

 necessary. In the case of young trees little difficulty 

 will be experienced, as good straight stakes can be 

 easily got. As a rule, one stake is quite enough for 

 a tree, and that should be driven in as close as 

 possible to the trunk without injuring it or the 

 roots. To the stake the tree should be secured with 

 wire or stout tar string, using thin cushions of felt, 

 leather, or old hose-pipe to keep the wire or string 

 from cutting into the bark. Allow a little room 

 between the stem and stake for growth. Two or 

 three ties are usually sufficient, and these should be 

 examined and loosened once or twice a year until 

 the stakes can be dispensed with. The habit of 

 putting in stakes in such a way that they cross the 

 trunk, and that when the wind blows there is 

 sufficient play for the stem and the stake to rub 

 against each other, is a bad one, the chafing often 

 causing serious wounds. In exposed situations, or 



