PLANTING GUIDE 
Smith’s Forest Tree Seedlings are packed in 
such fashion that they reach you in perfect 
condition. When they arrive it is best, of 
course, to get them into the ground as soon 
as you can, but it isn’t necessary to drop every- 
thing and plant them at once. Dig a little 
trench about five or six inches deep. Place the 
roots of the tiny trees in the trench, spaced 
rather thinly, and let them lean at an angle of 
about forty degrees with their tops toward the 
sun. Cover with moist earth to within two or 
three inches of the top. A cool, shady spot in 
moist earth is ideal. If your soil is dry be care- 
ful not to water too heavily. Excessive mois- 
ture may cause them to overheat. Trees prop- 
erly “‘heeled in’? in this manner need not be 
planted for several days ... but get them into 
the ground as soon as you conveniently can. 
Never let roots dry out from the time received 
until planted. 
Planting Distances and Number of Trees 
Per Acre 
For forest planting the trees are usually 
spaced four, five or six feet apart. If less than 
four feet apart the trees will tend to crowd 
each other as they approach maturity. If 
planted more than six feet apart the trees will 
have a tendency to grow “‘limby.”’ For the cus- 
tomary spacing for forest planting the number 
‘of trees required is as follows: 
4 x 4 ft. will give 2720 trees per acre. 5 x 5 
ft — 1720 trees per acre, recommended spac- 
ing for Christmas Trees. 6 x 6 ft. will give 1210 
trees per acre. 
WHEN TO PLANT 
The best time to plant is in early spring after 
snow disappears, just as the frost gets out of 
the ground. After the ground is free from 
frost, any time is planting time for the next 
several weeks. 
PRUNING 
Christmas tree production can be increased 
50% or more by shearing. This is usually done 
during June after the third year from planting, 
on the pines. Spruce and fir varieties can be 
pruned anytime during the year. On the pines 
cut the main leader (terminal) new growth 
back about 10 to 12 inches. Cut the lateral 
growth to approximately 8 inches. Tree should 
be pruned to give shape of an inverted cone. 
A large percentage of trees will not require 
any pruning due to their slow growth. Trees 
developing 2 terminal leaders should have the 
poorest one cut out as soon as it develops. 
