DETAILS OF PLANTING 



Time of Planting 



Spring is preferable to Fall for planting. 



Spacing and Uniformity in Planting 



Most of the trees on our streets and even in many of our parks have 

 been planted without sufficient space. A tree must have plenty of moist- 

 ure, light and space for the full development of its natural form. If its 

 neighbors are too near, the struggle for existence becomes very keen; the 

 strongest may survive, but greatly impaired and the perfect beauty marred. 

 Most trees need to be planted thirty or thirty-five feet apart to grow and 

 flourish properly, and for the spread of a tree like the elm sixty feet should 

 be allowed. 



Where whole rows of trees are set out at one time they should be, if 

 possible, of the same species, size and form. Diversity of species and dif- 

 ference in size on the same block are even more unsightly than varied forms 

 of architecture, where high buildings shoulder low and insignificant ones. 



Preparations for Planting 



It is important to start preparations as early in the year as possible. 

 Fall or early spring are the two periods for this work. Do not wait until 

 the best trees are sold, but order your trees at once, preferably in the fall. 

 Immediately before the planting, in advance of all other work, cut an 

 opening in the sidewalk five feet long and three feet wide; this avoids delay 

 at the time of planting. Write to the Park Department for permit to 

 plant the tree, naming the species, time of planting and space. 



Method of Planting 



Just before the tree arrives, dig the hole three and a half feet deep 

 and replace the soil with rich, mellow loam. The chief precaution at this 

 stage is the protection of the roots of the tree from the drying effects of sun 

 and wind, and for this reason a cloudy day is better than a sunny day for 

 planting. Too much stress cannot be laid upon this point, because even a 

 few minutes' exposure may injure the fibrous roots which are the chief feed- 

 ers of the tree. Before placing the tree in the pit the roots should be ex- 

 amined, all bruised roots cut off smoothly and the ends covered with coal- 

 tar. This will prevent root-rot and stimulate the formation of new fibrous 



