Town Planting 97 



over, and the strength of stem should be proportionate to 

 the height. 



5. Trees with wand-like, crooked, or cankered stems 

 should be avoided in street planting. 



6. They should be beautiful, shade-giving, and easy of 

 culture. 



Fencing and Staking. In order to prevent damage, 

 newly-planted trees should be fenced and staked at once. 

 Of fences or guards there are many kinds : they are made 

 of wood, wire or iron. The iron tree-guard has many 

 advantages over those of wood or expanded metal, and, 

 being made in two sections, it can be readily placed in 

 position after the tree has been planted. For trees from 

 12 to 14 ft. high the guards need not exceed, say, 7 ft. 

 in height, and preference should be given to those in which 

 the uprights are bent outwards at the top ; for this not only 

 lessens the risk of interference with the branches, but is 

 pleasing in appearance. Sometimes it may not be con- 

 sidered necessary to protect town trees, particularly such 

 as are growing in side streets, or in squares, but in every 

 case firm staking is necessary in order to prevent damage 

 from wind. 



Wooden tree-guards consist of about half a dozen poles 

 or uprights, about 7 ft. long, joined together around the 

 tree trunk by means of wire. When compared with those 

 of iron, they have, howeve > several disadvantages ; for 

 they may be climbed with ease and they do not last long. 

 Where it is found sufficient to stake the trees without 

 having recourse to guards, ash poles, from 2 in. to 3 in. 

 in diameter, and 10 ft. high, should be driven firmly into 

 the ground as close to the stem as possible. The tree should 

 be tied with specially prepared tar rope, which should be 

 crossed between the stem and stake to prevent damage 

 by chafing. From time to time it will be necessary to see 

 that the band of string does not become too tight. On 

 rare occasions only is it necessary to stake shrubs, but this 

 is sometimes advisable in exposed positions or in the case 

 of shrubs of unusually large size. 



Watering and after Management. For a few years 



H 



