PLANTING BALLED AND BURLAPPED 
EVERGREENS 
When a tree is dug with the earth undisturbed around 
the roots it is called “balled and burlapped” because the 
earth is wrapped in burlap and securely tied with rope. 
This insures safe handling and very little shock in moving. 
Trees should be planted as soon as they are received, 
but if this is impossible, they should be submerged in a 
tub of water for a few minutes and then placed out of the 
wind and sun. Limbs should be left tied and the burlap 
left on the roots until after the tree is planted. 
Dig the holes wide and deep enough to admit the 
earth ball easily. Set the tree straight and two inches 
deeper than it stood in the Nursery. (You can tell by the 
soil line on the stem.) Replace the dirt firmly, bearing 
your whole weight to pack it tight. Leave the burlap 
around the earth ball, but cut the string and lay back the 
burlap. (The burlap helps to anchor the tree and soon 
rots away.) When the hole is two-thirds filled, flood with 
water and then draw in enough loose dirt to mound up 
the hole and form a mulch. 
10 
After the tree is planted, unwind the string from 
top and carefully straighten out the branches. 
SUGGESTIONS FOR WATERING 
Roots of Evergreen should be kept moist. The amount 
of rainfall which may normally be depended upon in 
many localities, the condition of the soil and the amount 
of cultivation which is given, all have bearing on the re- 
sults of the growth of your Evergreen. 
It is quite evident that as trees become better estab- 
lished and the roots extend into the soil, they become 
more independent of surface moisture and can withstand 
considerable drought. 
In the north central states, summer is the period of 
the year when Evergreens will require artificial means 
of watering. Watering should be done at intervals of a 
week or ten days. A bi-weekly soaking is far more effect- 
ive than daily sprinkling on the top soil. A small amount 
of water applied directly on top of the ground is liable 
to cause the roots to grow upward to seek this small 
amount of moisture rather than downward as they should 
when thoroughly soaked. 
