ILLINOIS TREES: SELECTION, PLANTING. AND CARE 15 



SO they lean toward the south or southwest. Throw the soil so 

 that a bank will be formed against which the trees can lean. 

 Remove the packing and spread the roots in the bottom of the 

 trench. Cover the roots with fine, moist soil, tamp firmly, and 

 then add enough additional soil to make sure the roots will not 

 dry out. 



If the trees are delivered with balls of soil, and are not 

 planted immediately, the soil and roots must be protected from 

 drying out. Cover the soil ball with canvas, or with one of the 

 mulch materials suggested for protecting bare roots, and keep 

 moist until the trees are planted. 



PLANTING YOUR TREE 



Location, methods of digging the hole, soil conditions, and 

 several other considerations are in order when planting your tree. 



Location 



Before planting a tree, give careful consideration to where 

 it will be located. This is important because the tree must thrive 

 in the soil where it is planted and also give the desired shading 

 or ornamental effects. For good tree growth and development, 

 the most important requirement is a site that has fertile soil and 

 adequate drainage. There are three general soil types: loam, 

 clay, and sand. Loam soil in general is high in nutrients and has 

 water, air, and temperature conditions suitable for good growth. 

 Clay soil ordinarily is low in nutrients and does not drain well. 

 Sandy soil does not hold adequate water, contains too much air, 

 and is too low in nutrients for good plant growth. 



The term "soil" usually refers to the fertile, upper layer, 

 which is also called topsoil. Below this layer is the subsoil, which 

 is frequently composed of clay or hardpan. Subsoil usually is 

 wet, low in fertility, and relatively impervious to root growth. 

 Often when houses and other buildings are constructed the sub- 

 soil is mixed with the topsoil. Avoid locating a tree in such a soil 

 mixture, if possible, because it is not suitable for rapid growth. 



Good drainage is necessary to allow adequate aeration for 

 root growth and to provide the conditions required by beneficial 

 soil organisms. Bacteria and other microorganisms which de- 

 compose the organic matter and aid in releasing plant nutrients 

 cannot function properly in wet soil devoid of air. Roots of trees 

 planted in poorly drained soil such as a clay fill may be sub- 



