10 ILLINOIS NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY CIRCULAR 51 



BUYING YOUR TREE 



Among the things to consider when buying one or more 

 trees are the size to buy and the cost per tree. 



Size to Buy 



The size of tree to buy will vary with the species, the effects 

 desired from the new tree, the availability of the size desired, 

 the number of trees to be purchased, and the amount of money 

 you have to invest in plant material. Trees up to about 8 feet tall 

 are often sold by an established price per foot of height. Larger 

 trees may be sold by the trunk diameter in inches, measured 1 

 foot above the ground, or according to their overall size, shape, 

 and appearance. Trees up to 8 or 10 feet tall usually require less 

 pruning and recover more rapidly after transplanting than do 

 larger trees. More rapid recovery results in more rapid growth, 

 and a small tree may develop into a taller tree in 8 or 10 years 

 than one that was larger at planting time. Less pruning also 

 means less disfiguration and better balanced and shaped trees in 

 years to come. On large trees that require more severe pruning, 

 it is likely that the pruned branch tips will die and numerous 

 sprouts will appear near the cut ends of the branches. Frequently 

 these sprouts give rise to weak, deformed growth that disfigures 

 the tree. 



A common practice is to dig large trees, stockpile them in 

 groups on a well-drained site, and cover the balled roots with 

 wood chips or other suitable mulch. Masses of fibrous roots are 

 produced in the mulch. Trees treated in this manner usually re- 

 cover and become established more rapidly than trees planted 

 immediately after being dug. 



Cost of Trees 



The cost of trees varies with the species and size. Slow- 

 growing trees that require more years to reach a given size cost 

 more to produce than do fast-growing trees and therefore are 

 sold at higher prices. Small trees that can be moved with bare 

 roots cost less than the same trees of larger size that must be 

 moved with balls of soil. 



MOVING YOUR TREE 



Careful attention to recommended practices — including pre- 

 digging preparations, methods of digging, and protection of 



