Center Point, Iowa 17 
Evergreens 
The following species are the best kind of evergreens to plant in this state for 
shelter belts and ornaments. There is nothing which will add more to the value of 
a farm or more comfort to its occupants than a well-arranged plantation of ever- 
greens. Their shade is cool and refreshing in summer and a belt of them is the 
greatest barrier against winter blasts that can be provided. 
Our evergreens have been two or three times transplanted; are heavily rooted, 
stocky, thrifty plants. Failure with evergreens is usually due to careless handling, 
plant.ng or cultivation. Any soil that will grow corn or garden vegetables is suit- 
able for evergreens. 
DIRECTIONS FOR PLANTING AND CARING FOR EVERGREENS. 
Handling. Evergreen roots must always be very carefully protected from the sun 
and dry air. If they ever become thoroughly dried, the tree, unlike other trees, can 
never be revived. The roots should be dipped in a paste of mud before placing in 
the hole. 
Planting;. Dig holes large, so that the trees are not crowded, using the top soil in 
the bottom of the hole, and arranging the roots carefully, working the fine soil around 
and among them with vour hand and shaking the tree occasionally as the filling is 
going on, to settle the soil. When the roots are well covered, hold the tree upright, 
treading the soil very firmly around and over them with the feet. When this is done 
you have a basin or a hole around the tree that will hold half a pail of water; fill this 
basin with water and in half an hour or so, after the water has soaked away, fill the 
basin with good, mellow soil without much tramping. 
Watering:. The month of August is the critical period for newly planted ever- 
greens, for during this month, unlike deciduous trees, evergreens make a new root 
growth which requires moisture. If the rains have not been plentiful the trees should 
be watered. Make a basin around each tree by pulling away the soil with a hoe and 
water as above. If the season is very hot and dry, this watering should be commenced 
the latter part of July and continued through the period of drouth. 
cultivation. Thorough cultivation 
is very essential to the growth of 
vegetation of all kinds and nothing 
appreciates it more than evergreens. 
They should be cultivated at least 
once a week up to August 1, when 
a good mulching of partially rotted 
hay or straw may be given. Care 
should be taken not to use green 
manure as it is detrimental. 
Seedlings. The largest sizes of 
seedlings may be planted and treated 
as above; smaller sizes should be 
planted in well prepared beds with 
a dibble, and shaded the first season. 
Windbreaks. Plant spruces, firs 
and arbor vitaes in single rows, four 
to six feet apart; double rows, ten 
feet apart; Scotch and bull pines, 
single row, eight feet and double 
row ten to twelve feet; white pine, 
single row, eight feet; double row, 
twelve to fourteen feet. 
Hedge*. Arbor vitae, ten to 
eighteen ipdhes, fifteen inches apart; 
eighteen.*, to twenty-four inches, 
eighteeii'.'inches apart; two feet and 
larger, two' feet apart. Spruce and 
cedar, two to four feet apart, ac- 
cording to-.slze. 
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PINES 
White Pine (Pinus strobus) — One of 
the best,, largest and longest lived 
Evergreens, The foliage is warm 
light green, often with a bluish 
tinge. The leaves are in fives, 
three to four inches long, very soft 
and^elicately fragrant. After get- 
ting well started It is the most 
rapid grower of all Evergreens White Pine. 
