SHADE TREES. 159 



and maples 2\ to 4 or 6 inches in diameter, since they take hold of the 

 soil better. 



At the present day many very large trees and slirubs are being trans- 

 ]i]anted successfully. Special machines have been designed for use in 

 this work. The Hicks Tree Mover, designed by Mr. Isaac Hicks of 

 Westbury Station, Nassau County, N. Y., is extensively used, and Mr. 

 Hicks has achieved remarkable results in handling very large specimens 

 of trees and shrubs. These tree movers are expensive, however, and for 

 trees 6 to 10 inches in diameter a pair of high, heavy truck wheels, with 

 some simple improvised arrangement, may be adapted. At the present 

 time many individuals are willing to pay a good price for large trees, for 

 which tree movers are admirably adapted and should be more extensively 

 used. 



A general tendency has been to plant street trees rather closely, with 

 the idea in some cases of cutting every other one when it should become 

 necessary. The courage to do this when the time comes is often unfor- 

 tunately lacking, however, and the trees are allowed to grow and crowd 

 one another until it becomes too late to thin them out. 



The loss from transplanting need not be great, although there is a 

 great deal of difference regarding species in this respect. During a normal 

 season the loss from transplanting need not exceed 2 or 3 per cent., and 

 sometimes 100 trees from 100 will live. During severe drought periods 

 a greater loss is expected, and even 50 per cent, loss in a good season occa- 

 sionally occurs from poor planting. Such trees as the tulip tree and 

 tupelo are naturally difficult to transplant with success, and a consider- 

 able loss with such species is anticipated. 



Tree Surgery. 



The term "tree surgery ' is a legitimate one to use in describing modern 

 methods of treating trees, as they are similar to those used in human 

 and animal surgery, i.e., the treatment of trees is based upon aseptic and 

 antiseptic methods.^ In the same manner that modern surgery is success- 

 ful in correcting deformities, performing operations, etc., so a young and 

 vigorous, although often imperfect, tree may be improved and rendered 

 more valuable by the use of the same methods. While old and decrepit 

 trees are often treated to extend their period of usefulness, it should be 

 borne in mind that it is more desirable to care for the younger, more 

 promising trees, and it is only too apparent that if more attention had 

 been given to the care of old trees at the proper time they would never 

 be in the condition in wliich we often find them. 



Unlike the surgeon, who has no choice of subjects, the tree expert can 

 select his individuals at the start and eliminate the unperfect specimens, 



' Some prefer the term " tree repair work " to that of " tree surgery " on the ground that the 

 work is of a much cruder type than that generally recognized as "surgery." There are, how- 

 ever, many instances where as much skill and knowledge are required in this work as in animal 

 surgery. 



