82 
TREES AS GOOD CITIZENS 
Cloudy days are best for planting. Strong sunlight 
or wind is harmful in that it causes rapid drying out of the 
roots. The tree should be placed without delay in the 
waiting hole prepared with its own earth or with the 
earth and compost brought from elsewhere. 
The tree should be set into the hole with roots spread¬ 
ing naturally, and not crossed nor folded. If any roots 
are broken or seriously damaged, they should be cut off 
with a clean cut to provide a good surface from which new 
roots may start. In filling the hole, finely pulverized 
earth should be worked in by hand or a small ramming 
stick, so that it completely occupies all the space around 
the roots and under them. Enough pressure should be 
applied in this process to cause the earth to surround the 
roots firmly and compactly. To this end it is essential to 
use only moderately moist earth. Wet earth is injurious, 
as it will pack and become brick-like on drying and so 
impenetrable to the young rootlets, unless it is extremely 
sandy. Firmly embedded roots are necessary to enable 
the tree to hold its position and not work loose. The 
filling and compacting should be continued to a point 
2 or 3 inches below the level of the ground. If water¬ 
ing is done, it should be at this point, and it should 
be done so thoroughly that the moisture will reach the 
entire root system. In humid regions it is not usual to 
water at transplanting, if deciduous trees not over 4 or 5 
inches in diameter are transplanted while dormant. 
In time of drouth in dry countries, for large or evergreen 
trees, or for trees that have started to push their foliage, 
watering is frequently necessary. Tamping or compact¬ 
ing of the soil after wetting will be injurious. As a final 
step in planting, a layer of pulverized earth should 
be placed over the compacted or wet soil and left 
loose, to facilitate air and water circulation. When trees 
