FALL AND SPRING PLANTING 
3 
WHEN TO PLANT 
Snrine Trees must be planted when they are in a dormant, mature 
Til condition. Early spring is the best time for most plantmg, 
Planting j,ije earlier the better. A late-planted tree puts out leaves 
promptly, but the first growth is on the reserve food stored up in the 
roots and trunk. An early-planted tree starts the same way. But the 
early-planted tree has had time to put out the little fine root hairs, and 
thus draws new food from the soil sooner than the late-planted tree, 
which gives it a quicker start. The early-planted tree gets the full 
benefit of the season's rainfall, and being in the ground longer, is able 
to make a better growth. . . . 
In dry, arid regions where irrigation is necessary, spring planting is 
best; March and April are the best months to set trees in Colorado, Idaho, 
Utah, Arizona, etc., and the territory east of the Pacific Coast Range. In 
California, Oregon, and Washington, on the western slope of the Pacific 
Coast, where they have fall rains, the planting should be done as soon as 
possible after the early rains have wet the ground. Spring planting is also 
best in New England, New York, Michigan, and all sections north of a 
line drawn through the lower half of Pennsylvania across through the 
upper half of the State of Missouri. 
Fall Fall planting has an advantage in sections where the trees are 
T,, , . not apt to be injured by the winter. A tree newly planted in 
Planting ^j^g f^n ^ill not resist as much cold as one that has grown a 
year. Peach trees can be planted in the fall in some of the northern sec- 
tions if they are protected by mounding up the dirt about them, so as to 
bury the tops. This is possible with a peach tree, because in pruning them 
they are usually cut back to 18 or 20 inches, and it is no great trouble to 
cover the tops with dirt after they are planted. Grape vines, gooseberries, 
and currants can be treated in the same manner, but it would take such 
a large mound to protect apple and other tall trees that it is not recom- 
mended. Pall planting is largely preferred in the middle latitudes, south- 
ern New Jersey, Maryland, Tennessee, North Carolina, southern Missouri, 
Indiana, Ohio, etc. In Georgia, Alabama and California winter plantmg 
is recommended, the trees to be set any time when the ground is dry 
enough to work, and when the weather is mild. Trees should never be 
handled during freezing weather. 
Order Trees Whether you plant in the fall or spring, the trees should 
_ , be ordered as soon as your plans are definitely made, 
liarly Have the nurseryman reserve your trees to be shipped 
as soon as you are ready for them. For early fall planting get the 
order in during the summer. For spring planting order in January, or 
before. j 
In the propagation of nursery stock, plans have to be made one to 
three years ahead and it is impossible to foretell just what the demand 
will be for the different kinds and varieties. Moreover the percentage of 
salable trees or plants that will be produced from the number planted 
in the nursery varies from year to year according to conditions over 
which the nurseryman has no control. The man who orders late runs the 
risk of not being able to get the varieties or sizes he prefers. Shipments 
can generally be made as early as October 15th, depending upon the 
weather conditions. 
Securinff The conscientious nurseryman will not dig his trees 
r, ° ^ until they are thoroughly dormant and mature, even 
JUOrmant irees jf j^^ loggg gome orders. Trees that have been dug 
before they have ripened naturally in the nursery row are likely to fall 
short of giving satisfaction to the orchardist. The shipping season 
usually ends by May 15th. Of course, it is better to plant late than to 
lose a year. 
