362 



CONIFERS 



CONIFERS 



of loss in transplanting is explained from neglect in 

 this respect. As soon as taken up, the roots should be 

 immersed into a loam-puddle and kept protected by wet 

 sphagnum moss or canvas until set into their new 

 place. 



The question of trimming when transplanting must be 

 considered with more care than is necessary with broad- 

 leayed trees, which possess much greater recuperative 

 power. It should be confined to the smallest amount, 

 smoothing bruised roots, and if for proper proportion- 

 ing pruning at the top becomes absolutely necessary, 

 shortening the leader rather than branches. Larch will 

 stand more severe pruning than most other Conifers. 

 From the artistic as well as physiological point of view, 

 it is barbarism to remove the lower branches, which the 

 tree needs to shade its trunk and standing room, and of- 

 ten, when deprived of the same, will replace first before 

 starting again in its height growth. Attention should, 

 however, be especially paid to preventing double leaders, 

 which are detrimental to future form-development; cut 

 them out as early as possible, preferably in the bud. 

 Laterals may be somewhat shortened-iu while standing 

 in the nursery, to lengthen the time during which the 

 lower branches are to persist. Breaking out buds is, as 

 with all trees, the best method, provided thepruner has 

 an eye for his business. Even in after-life, when prun- 

 ing is done to keep the tree shapely, the minimum use 

 of the pruning-knife should be the rule. 



There are three marked periods in the development of 

 Conifers— the juvenile period, when the entire tree is a 

 crown, branched symmetrically to the base, the perfec- 

 tion of symmetry ; then follows the adolescent stage, 

 when the lower branches die out, a period of unshape- 

 liness ; followed by the virile 

 stage, when the straight, cylin- 

 drical shaft bears the crown at 

 one-third or one-half of the up- 

 per length of the bole. The 

 trimming during the adolescent 

 stage requires most considera- 

 tion. It is, in most cases, best 

 only to take off the lowest, dy- 

 ing or dead branches, as it be- 

 comes necessary. 



In pruning, cut as closely as 

 possible to the trunk, even cut- 

 ting into the bark, also remov- 

 ing the swelled portion on 

 which the branches are usually 



inserted, when the callusing will be more rapid and 

 satisfactory in shape. 



If at this stage or at any time the trees show trouble 

 at the top by drying (becoming " stag-headed") , it is a 

 sign that they suffer at the root from lack of moisture. 



535. Pyramidal evergreens. Junipers. 



Trimming off a few tiers of lower branches, loosening 

 the soil as far as the ambitus of the crown, and mulch- 

 ing will largely correct this. When used for hedges, the 

 treatment is, of course, different. For such a purpose 

 the shade-enduring species, spruces and hemlocks, are 

 best, since they are capable of preserving a dense inte- 

 rior foliage, while the pines are bound to thin out. 



There are a number of dangers and damage from in- 

 sects to which Conifers are exposed. Drought and frost 

 are most dangerous to seedlings in the seed-bed. These 

 are obviated by proper location of the seed-bed (protec- 

 tion against sun and wind) , by covering with a mulch of 

 moss, straw, pine-straw or the like (which also prevent* 

 the heaving out by frost and the washing out by rain, 

 to which the young seeds are liable). By shading and 

 watering the danger of drought is overcome, although 

 at the same time that of "" damping-off " is invited. The 

 cause of this disease, consisting ita the reddening of the 

 needles and their falling off, is as yet undiscovered, a. 

 fungus being held responsible by some. Birds may be 

 kept away from the seeds by mixing them with red 

 oxide of lead, by lath screens, and the usual methods. 



Various fungi and insects, too many to mention, some 

 polyphagous, more or less specific, are at work dur- 

 ing the various stages of development. A host of leaf- 

 miners, saw-flies and caterpillars destroy the foliage. 



'S^ 



536. Dwarf conifers, of horticultural origin. Pines and spruces. 



