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 defoli- 
ated, 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 properly soaked for 
withstanding the rigors of Winter;—and thus avoid what is known as “dry- 
freezing” or winter-kill. 
Some thirty days or more after you have put away your hose for the 
season, is about the right time to bring it out and thoroughly soak everything 
up again. Remove 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—possibly 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 roots 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 preferable 
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 plant- 
ing. 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 trimming is usually nec- 
essary also on each shearing. This is vitally neces- 
sary 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 approximate 
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. 
