METHOD OF PLANTING. 17 



holes should be properly placed and if the situation will permit, they 

 should be dug. It is not uncommon to see a large proportion of nicely 

 shaped and apparently thrifty young trees die the first season after 

 planting either because the planting was not properly done or was made 

 at an unfavorable season. Throughout North Carolina early spring is 

 the time when successful planting is most assured. Fall planting is ex- 

 tensively advocated in the north, but the conditions in the southeast are 

 not at all favorable for rooting at this season. Not only is the weather so 

 warm and dry during the autumn that the roots are likely to dry while 

 material is in transit, but the low rainfall period which terminates the 

 long, warm, dessicating summer and autumn, leaves the soil too deficient 

 in moisture to assure a renewal of root growth before winter, even though 

 the specimens are well watered when set out. 



Planting can begin, however, very early in the spring, the opening of 

 the maple buds usually marking the beginning of the planting season. 

 Its earliness varies in different portions of the State (if the unfolding 

 of the maple buds is taken as the index) from the last of February in the 

 southeastern portion of the State to the middle of March in the higher 

 mountains. Planting can be continued until the leaves are nearly grown, 

 but further delay lessens the chance of success. A few species are exact- 

 ing in regard to the time at which they must be planted. Most of the 

 deciduous, broad-leafed trees — oaks, elms, lindens, maples, and true pop- 

 lars, and others which have numerous fine, fibrous roots — can be planted 

 at any time during the spring with every assurance of success. A few 

 species, however, are more exacting. The magnolias, including the 

 cucumber tree, large-leaved magnolias, as well as the evergreen species 

 and the closely related yellow poplar or tulip tree, require transplanting 

 very late in the spring, just at the time when the buds are beginning to 

 open. These trees are deficient in fibrous roots, most of their roots being 

 thick and fleshy. Unless moved just at the time when root growth is 

 taking place, success is doubtful. The black gum also requires to be 

 handled in late spring; and all evergreens, both broad-leafed species like 

 the holly, bays, mock orange, and evergreen oaks, as well as the conif- 

 erous evergreens, the pines, cedars and firs, are best moved late in the 

 spring just before the period of active growth begins. 



METHOD OF PLANTING. 



Holes for planting should be prepared in advance of the proposed 



planting time so that when the season is favorable there will be no cause 



for delay. More or less care is required in the preparation of the holes 



according to the natural fertility of the soil and its adaptability to tree 



