178 Care in Planting Trees 
transportation and setting out is more easily applied, the 
small damage, if any, being more readily repaired. Yet, 
Luf for unforeseen accidents, if all the care is used which 
we have recommended, there is no reason why an experi- 
enced tree-planter should not make a success of every trans- 
plant as far as keeping it alive is concerned, especially if the 
trees are properly prepared for transplanting (see below). 
It must, however, not be overlooked that size means expense 
and only he who does not shirk the latter can make sure of 
success. Still, there are objections to transplanting very 
See enemies) 
sede tnctaeanhindal 
large trees, “in that a considerable amount of cutting back 
form is reéstablished. Especially conifers, which, as a 
rule, do not admit much pruning, are best planted in small 
sizes unless they can be moved with a ball of earth. Yet 
the writer knows of a case of successful moving of a whole 
avenue of Norway spruce, thirty to forty feet in height, 
without such precaution. 
As a rule, while for forest planting two- to five-year-old 
plants are preferred, the street planter will wish to set trees 
which have carried their crown above man-height or nearly 
S5, and the lawn planter may also best remain within these 
limits. The transplanting of larger trees than eight to ten 
feet at most in height is a specialty which is better left to 
experienced hands. It requires time (two or three days), 
labor (eight to twelve men), and expense, which should not 
be lightly undertaken, especially as it is doubtful in result. 
It is best done with trees prepared for the operation. 
Large trees— the writer has transplanted centenarian 
oaks successfully — may be and should be prepared for 
the operation by digging a ditch, two or three feet wide, 
around the tree at a distance proportionate to its size, cut- 
ting through all the side roots, leaving the tap-root, if any, 
