106 TREES IN WINTER 



roots will be enlarged. In low places, where water is likely to 

 stand during wet seasons, it will be necessary to underdrain, for 

 few trees will thrive in wet soil. Tile underdrains should be 

 placed about four feet below the surface. If nearer the surface 

 they are likely to be stopped up by the roots of the trees. Where 

 there is an impervious hard-pan near the surface it may be broken 

 up by the use of dynamite. 



On city streets it is usually impracticable to plow, except when 

 planting newly-formed streets and avenues. AVhen it is not 

 practicable to break up the whole area where trees are to be 

 planted, larger holes and greater care in their preparation will 

 be necessary. 



Most soils are deficient in both plant food and vegetable matter 

 and are greatly benefited by heavy applications of stable manure. 

 Where the young trees are widely separated it is well to restrict 

 the application to a radius of about six feet around each tree. 

 It should be thoroughly mixed up with the soil. On city streets 

 where the application must be restricted to a small area the 

 manure is usually mixed with the soil that is placed around the 

 roots of the tree. For this purpose only very fine, or well-rotted, 

 manure should be used. 



Staking the Ground — The setting of stakes where the trees are 

 to be planted is recommended for most kinds of plantations. 

 Where trees are to be planted in a straight line along a roadside 

 or on a city street, the problem is a simple one. When trees are 

 planted for definite effects about the home or in parks, the work 

 is often perplexing and the correct location of the stakes often 

 necessitates much shifting. A stake is much easier shifted than a 

 tree, and the location of trees may be decided upon before the 

 approach of the planting season. 



SETTING THE TREES 

 Time to Plant — Spring planting usually gives better results 

 than fall planting, although with care trees may be planted in 

 the fall with much assurance of their surviving. The spring is 

 the natural growing season and trees planted at this time 

 commence to send out new roots immediately, so that if they were 

 somewhat carelessly planted they would stand a better show than 

 those planted in the fall and allowed to remain over winter in an 

 unfavorable condition. If it is desired to plant in the fall it 



