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GUIDE. 17 



afterward, provided it's done moderately. It's even beneficial for the successful growth of 

 the young trees after planting. The severed taproot is replaced by branching roots that 

 tend to go deep into the ground, but they don't have the strength of a taproot and they 

 take a different course. Lateral roots that have been trimmed bifurcate, branch out, and 

 generate lots of root hair. All these roots and root hair increase the number of passages 

 for nutrients for the young tree and make it grow more vigorously. A second advantage is 

 no less important when the time comes to lift the sapling from the nursery and transplant 

 it to its destination. Equipped with a lot of roots and root hair, it lifts up better and is 

 more certain to take root again than a tree whose roots haven't been treated this way. 

 Generally, the tops of saplings of large trees ought not to be cut when planting them in a 

 nursery, but rather left at full length. Only the lateral branches should be pruned to reduce 

 the load on the young tree and to lessen the likelihood of it being caught by the wind. 



Small trees, shrubs, and bushes without defined trunks can be trimmed and their 

 stems cut back in proportion to the quantity, and especially the condition, of their of 

 roots. If the roots are fresh and plentiful, and if planting is done at the right time, the 

 stems are pruned long. If, on the other hand, the roots are sparse because they've 

 dwindled and the season is well along, the stems should be pruned quite short, about four 

 to five inches above the ground. 



