30 

FALL OR WINTER CARE OF TREES 
Due to the arid and peculiar climate that exists throughout the Plains 
Area, it is of vital importance that trees, shrubs and evergreens be given 
special attention before going into Winter. 
In this region we usually have long dry Falls after the trees have de- 
foliated, and as a rule the tendency is to forget to water the various items 
in our landscaping. This is of great importance where we have had little, if 
any, Fall moisture from the skies. Consequently not only the trees and 
shrubs, but even the perennials are almost sure to suffer, and freeze back or 
Winter-killed entirely, if added moisture is not supplied to get them prop- 
erly soaked tor withstanding the rigors of Winter;—and thus avoid what 
is known as “‘dry-freezing”’ or winter-kill. 
Some thirty days or more after you bave put away your hose for the 
season, is about the right time to bring it out and thoroughly soak every- 
thing up again. Remeve the nozzle from the hose, using the open end, and 
on normal sized trees and evergreens allow a stream of water about pencil 
size, to run at or near the base of the tree for two or three hours. On larger 
trees this should be repeated by moving the hose from time to time to a 
new location on the opposite sides of the tree. Shrubs and perennials of 
course treated in the same manner, but with smaller running time—pos- 
sibly an hour or less, according to size of the plant or shrub. This slow 
method of watering permits seepage deep into the ground, down around 
the rcots where it does the most good, and where it will last well into the 
winter. The nearer one can anticipate when the ground is going to freeze 
up, and get your watering done just ahead of that time,—the better your 
stock will come out in the Spring. 
PROPER PLANTING and TRIMMING of PRIVET HEDGES 
Trench for all hedges should be dug deeper and wider than necessary 
for the depth and spread of the roots, respectively. A trench is always prefer- 
able to digging holes for the individual plants; which should be placed with 
the forks or crown slightly under the ground level. Only well pulverized 
good soil should be placed back around the roots, and flooding method to 
water in properly when the hedge line is completed. Fill should be made so 
there will be a slight sump for future irrigation. Do not allow grass or sod to 
grow into your hedge. Keep the area well defined, and obstacles of this kind 
removed at all times. 
The top illustration on the left shows the position of a hedge after 
installation. Note line indicating the proper cut back on all hedges after 
planting. The easiest and best way to accomplish this is a stout cord 
stretched along the hedge, cutting back all above the cord, and thus an even 
height along the entire hedge. Some side trim- 
ming is usually necessary also on each shearing. 
This is vitally necessary to get a thick established 
growth at the base and on the sides. If this is 
not done, a lanky, leggy hedge develops, which 
does not add to the beauty of any planting. The 
more a hedge is sheared through the growing 
season, the better it develops, and of consequence, 
the more beautiful it becomes. Again on hedge, 
it is most vital to see it is well watered and kept 
well watered at all times for best results. Deep 
irrigation or flooding again is preferable over 
the sprinkling method. 
The center figure at the left shows the proper 
way to trim a hedge after it has developed some- 
what, and should be kept trimmed in approxi- 
mate shape as shown——slightly narrower at the 
top than at the base. The bottom figure is a good 
example of an improperly trimmed hedge, as it 
is narrower at the base than at the top. This is 
readily seen, since heavy snows, or in certain 
instances, heavy rains, will have a tendancy to 
pull apart and flatten out the branches where 
the hedge is not slightly narrower at the top 
than at the base. 

