12 Wyoming Experiment Station. 



EVERGREEN TREES. 



The native coniferous or evergreen trees (spruce, pine, 

 etc.) are transplanted with great difficulty. Their root sys- 

 tems are such that, by the ordinary methods of transplanting, 

 the more distant and, therefore, the more numerous roots and 

 rootlets are severed from the tree. Besides, the finer rootlets 

 are exceedingly sensitive and, on exposure to the dry air, lose 

 water so rapidly that they are quickly wilted. From this they 

 rarely recover. To transplant them successfully it is necessary 

 to prevent this loss of moisture. This may be done, but only 

 by the expenditure of much labor, in one of two ways, as fol- 

 lows : 



Transplant in the winter from frozen soil. Cut out a suf- 

 ficiently large block to include a reasonable portion of the root 

 system. Transfer to new location with the soil intact. This 

 may the more readily be done with trees found growing in 

 moist situations in valleys, because of the character of the soil 

 and the less wide-spread roots. Trees from dry hillsides are 

 difficult to remove successfully, especially if the soil is stony, 

 because of the few and greatly elongated roots. In moist soil 

 trees and other plants do not have to reach out so far for water, 

 and this no doubt accounts for the more compact root system. 

 2. Transplant in spring or summer. Retain intact the larg- 

 est amount of soil that circumstances will permit. This will 

 depend upon the character of the soil and the size of the tree 

 (with its block of soil) that you are prepared to handle. If 

 the tree is to be transported any considerable distance, it will 

 be necessary to enclose the soil snugly in a burlap or gunny- 

 sack cover. Sew securely and handle carefully, so as to loosen 

 the soil as little as possible. It usually will be found advisable 

 to plant without removing the burlap. The roots will easily 

 penetrate it. 



Experience seems to show that all the evergreens may most 

 safely be transplanted in late spring or early summer, just after 

 growth has fairly started, that is when the buds are opening. 



