Care in Planting Trees 177 
experienced in conifers. A cool, moist September calls 
for earlier, a dry and warm month for later planting, and 
if drouthy conditions continue, the planting is best deferred 
to the spring season. 
The best time for conifers, which terminate root growth 
eaidy in the Tall and Telain thelr foliage during winter (with 
few exceptions like Larch, Bald Cypress, etc.), is shortly 
before vegetation starts anew in spring, the roots beginning 
their activity before the buds. 
If planting in summer becomes necessary, this is best 
in the driest month, varying with the seasons, but in general 
occurring in July to August. Some have advocated trans- 
planting conifers preferably in August, but there is no 
special reason for this preference except the lull in the vege- 
tative activity, and the weather conditions may often be 
the opposite of favorable at that season. It is successful 
when rainy weather follows. 
Winter planting should be practised only when it is to 
be done with a ball of earth which can then be frozen, per- 
mitting transfer without disturbance of root system. 
The frost-heaving which is apt to occur in high elevations 
and northern latitudes when trees are transplanted late in 
the fall can be prevented by placing sod or other mulching 
around the tree. 
The size of the plant material influences the success of 
the planting more than is realized by many planters. The 
desire to secure a tree of good form and size is often better 
éeded*for its growth than planting at_once_a larger size. 
namely, the fact that they can be more readily taken up 
without loss of root, and because the necessary care in their 
