SHADE TREE PLANTING 
83 
are received in bad condition or for other special reason, 
they are sometimes planted by puddling, that is, the tree 
is placed in the hole, some loose earth is thrown in about 
the roots, the hole is partially filled with water and more 
earth is thrown in the water. The tree is planted by moving 
it up and down in this mud until there is no question but 
the roots are all surrounded by it, and then more soil is 
shoveled in, until the mud is crowded over the rim of the 
hole. In this method there must be absolutely no com¬ 
pacting of the soil by tamping of any sort or the result 
will be a brick in which the tree cannot grow. This does 
not apply to real sandy soil. It is important, of course, 
that the tree should be in an upright position. It is desir¬ 
able that a stake be driven into the earth alongside the 
tree, and tied to it to hold the tree from swaying, until 
its roots have taken firm hold. 
It must be borne in mind that the mere digging of a 
hole is not all that is involved in preparing the tree’s new 
home. The location of this hole is as important as the 
selection of the tree itself. If the planting is in a grass 
strip, the problem of location is simplified, as it then be¬ 
comes merely a matter of dividing the space between 
sidewalk and curb in such way &s to best accommodate 
roots. If traffic conditions and limitations of space 
require that the sidewalk extend all the way to the curb, 
it becomes necessary to provide a free area for the tree. 
Twelve square feet should be taken as a minimum for the 
unpaved area. In some cities the smallest area permissi¬ 
ble is prescribed by ordinance or regulation. The city 
of Washington recognizes the importance of this free space 
by providing that the openings shall be 3 by 8 feet in size, 
thus establishing 24 square feet as the official requirement. 
Without adequate opening, the tree will be choked to 
death by the solid sidewalk, which permits the entry of 
neither air nor moisture. 
