88 STREET AND HIGHWAY PLANTING. 



planted all through the summer, and early fall as well, if they are speci- 

 mens which have been grown in cans or tubs, or have been transplanted 

 so often that a good mass of roots is formed. The advantage of this 

 method is that the work is less of a shock to the tree, and provided a 

 sufficient supply of water can be given afterwards, many of the less 

 tolerant forms can be given this treatment. In using specimens from 

 tubs or cans, care must be exercised that no deformed or root-bound 

 specimens slip into the lot. 



The safest generalization is, of course, that planting should be done 

 just as new growth is starting, so that the tree may become established 

 at once and not have the shock of losing foliage and roots which would 

 come if it were moved after growth had started. Nevertheless, if the 

 planter is willing to meet the difficulties, the question of time can be 

 largely disregarded. 



After planting has been accomplished, a small matter of great impor- 

 tance must not be overlooked. And that matter is the staking of the 

 tree. In spite of all precautions at planting time the ground often 

 settles, or subsequent rains or winds disturb the position of the young 

 tree so that it begins to careen at an angle, and unless promptly cor- 

 rected this crooked shape is kept for all time. The simplest method 

 for preventing this, and the one which has been proven satisfactory 

 and sufficient, is the single stake. As a general practice stakes from 

 ten to fifteen feet in length should be used, with three feet below 

 ground. The portion below ground should be tarred, so that it will 

 not decay. If the tarred area is carried up for a foot above ground 

 level the danger is lessened still more. If these are driven in about ten 

 or twelve inches from the base of the tree the root will not be damaged, 

 and the tree will be held in place. The usual practice is to tie the tree 

 to the stake at several points with soft hemp rope. If this can be run 

 through rubber hose, so much the better. After eight or ten years the 

 trees have usually outgrown the need of the stake and it can be removed, 

 repointed and retarred and used for other smaller trees. 



In many cities it has been found that trees are subject to mutilation 

 by horses especially. There are two methods of combatting' this diffi- 

 culty. 



The way very commonly used in the East, and in a desultory way by 

 private individuals in California, is to provide a guard of some descrip- 

 tion. These guards vary from a roll of two-inch hexagonal wire mesh 

 to a wooden frame, such as is commonly used in Washington, D. C., 

 (Fig. 46) or an elaborate iron guard. For old trees the wire mesh 

 guard is entirely adequate, and for young trees a wire mesh guard, 

 supplemented with stout stakes, will answer all purposes. The wooden 

 guard is a little more effective and is reasonably durable. The only 



