PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS 

When to Plant 
Spring planting season is from March 15 to June 1. Fall planting is quite 
satisfactory when larger transplant stock is used, and when the site is fairly 
dry. Never attempt to plant in the fall on moist sites as the trees will be 
heaved out of the ground by the action of the frost on the soil. Fall planting 
season is September 1 to Nov. 1, or before the ground freezes. 
Preparations for Planting 
It is not necessary to prepare the soil in any way before planting. Plow- 
ing before planting often allows too much settling after planting, leaving the 
trees lying upon the surface. Sod and weeds in the planting site conserve 
moisture, and shade the young trees during the hot months of the first few 
seasons after planting. Do not fertilize before, during or immediately after 
planting as the fresh fertilizer invariably burns the tender roots. Fertilizer as 
2 top dressing around the trees may be added several years after planting it 
desired. 
When your trees arrive UNPACK AT ONCE. This is very important. 
While trees are out of the ground they must be handled very carefully. Do 
not expose the roots to sunlight or drying winds, or the trees will be seriously 
injured or killed. Dig a trench deep enough to accommodate the roots and 
long enough to hold the trees. This trench should be near the planting site 
in a shaded location such as the north side of a building or woods, and acces- 
sible to water if possible. Your trees will come packed in crates or cartons 
with the roots wrapped in moist moss and the tops dry. Remove all of this 
packing material and place the bundles of trees in the trench, packing LOOSE 
soil tightly around the roots so that air is excluded. If the soil is dry, water 
them after ““HEELING-IN.’’ When planting carry a few bundles of trees in an 
ordinary water bucket with the roots immersed in thick, soupy mud. This 
mud mixture will adhere to the roots, and while planting will dry slightly on 
the surface conserving the necessary moisture in contact with the root itself 



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'T, wee (B) With tree in place partly fill the hole, 
f then pack before final filling. 



How to Plant 
A mattock is the best tool for tree planting. Dig a hole deep enough to 
accommodate the roots, and large enough to allow for spreading out the 
roots. See Figure A. Next take a tree from the bucket and place it in the 
hole so that when the hole is filled the tree will stand as deep or preferably 
Y% to 3% inches deeper than it was in the nursery. Spread out the roots as 
much as possible, never curl them up in a ball. Then fill the hole partially 
and pack soil firmly about the roots with hand or mallet. Then fill the hole 
completely, leaving a slight depression to catch rain water. Avoid using stones 
and pieces of sod in filling the hole as these make air pockets that are detri- 
mental to the successful establishment of the seedling. Careful spreading of 
roots, and tight packing of good soil around the roots will insure success 
with planting. 
Crew Organization 
Planting small tracts three men work together. One man goes ahead 
and digs the holes, the other two follow with buckets of trees and plant them 
in the holes. In planting more extensive tracts ten men will work to the best 
advantage. Three men go ahead in a parallel line digging the holes. Two 
planters follow each digger setting the trees. The tenth man follows the 
crew with two buckets of trees and replenishes the planters’ buckets as nec- 
essary; also to observe that no more than one tree is planted in each hole,* 
to watch spacing, to see that trees are planted properly, and to keep the crew 
going as rapidly as possible. 
. 
Spacing 
Where thinning is to be done at a comparatively young age (4 to 5 years) 
as with a Christmas Tree plantation, spacing is 3’ by 3’ for Spruce or 5’ by 5’ 
for Pines. With a forest plantation when no thinning is intended for 20 to 25 
years, 6’ by 6’ or 8’ by 8’ is recommended. 
Number of trees required per acre tor different spacings: 
3x3 — 4,840 Speck ae Ney: 
Ax Apame 222 6x6 — 1,210 
Experienced Crews can plant an average of 1000 trees per man per day 




Black Hills Spruce 
Highly ornamental Spruce, with rich, dark 
green foliage. Grows with a dense, even, 
pyramidal form, with gracefuliy pinpiae 
branches. Requires good rich soil far 
proper development. 
Banks Pine 
This tree thrives in all climates and all 
types of soil—rich or poor. It is valuable 
for small timber products. Since it is the 
most rapid growing of all the pines, it must 
be sheared to produce a fine compact tree. 
This tree is light green in color, and 
grows straight and tall with a narrow 
spread of branches, 
a Canouna Elemlock 
Lacy, graceful foliage. Prefers shade, but 
will live in full sunlight. Desires moist 
soil. Excellent ornamental, since it may be 
pruned to any shape and kept at small 
size. Unsurpassed for hedges, mixed plant- 
ings, or specimens. Thriyes in shade where 
other oznamentals will not grow. Canadian 
Hemlock has sho:zter, da-ker needles, 
