| In planting trees, their mature height and spread | | | | from exposure to air before planting and also |
| must be considered before a selection is made. | | | | from any air pockets which may exist after |
| Tempting as are the nursery catalogues, it is | | | | planting. |
| necessary to choose carefully, especially on the | | | | Having filled the hole to the depth required by the |
| average lot, because crowding spoils the growth | | | | roots of the plant, flood it with water to settle |
| and appearance of trees, particularly specimen | | | | the soil at the bottom, when this has drained |
| trees. | | | | away, place the tree in the position in which it is |
| In general, it is wisest and most economical to | | | | to grow and settle the soil about it. Use a stick or |
| plant young trees. Planting a mature tree is | | | | shovel handle to work the soil around the roots, |
| difficult and, if done professionally, costly. If, | | | | and make certain there are no air pockets. |
| however, a mature tree is badly needed for a | | | | Spread the roots out naturally, planting the tree |
| terrace or for screening, it may well justify the | | | | at about the same depth as in the nursery or its |
| expense. What you are buying is the time it takes | | | | former location. |
| a smaller tree to mature. | | | | When the hole is two-thirds full, trample it down |
| Today you can plant trees when in full leaf with | | | | and again fill with water. Don't firm down the |
| the aid of new wilt-proof sprays that seal the | | | | remaining soil, so that the water will drain towards |
| leaves against moisture loss until the roots are | | | | the trunk. |
| established. | | | | A balled-and-bur lapped tree is one dug with a |
| This, however, costs money and entails greater | | | | solid ball of rich, heavy loam in which it has been |
| risks than buying your tree and planting it in early | | | | growing in the nursery for years, its root system |
| spring (the best time) or late fall or winter. If you | | | | thus amply covered and protected. |
| are planting a tree over 6 feet tall, it will suffer | | | | The ball is firmed and held in place by a secure |
| less setback if moved with a bur-lapped root ball. | | | | covering of twine and burlap. To plant it, set the |
| The soil preparation described in the previous | | | | tree in a hole that is a trifle lower than it stood in |
| chapter is helpful for most tree and shrub planting. | | | | the nursery. Work the soil beneath this depth, as |
| But since the root system must have fertile soil | | | | directed above. Dig the hole about twice the size |
| when it is planted, special steps must be taken. | | | | of your ball and plant at once. |
| Dig a hole 2 feet deep and at least 1 foot wider | | | | If the ground is dry at planting time, fill the hole |
| each way than the full spread of the roots. The | | | | with water and let it soak away before planting. |
| bottom of the hole should be broken up with a | | | | Cut the burlap at the top when you put the ball in |
| pitchfork and thoroughly mixed with peat, leaf | | | | place, rolling it back 3 or 4 inches. Plant ball, burlap |
| mould, loam, etc. | | | | and all the burlap will soon rot away. |
| Manure should be used sparingly and only on the | | | | If you are planting a big tree, it is transported in a |
| top of the hole as it burns the roots. The deeper | | | | truck, lowered to the ground by winches, rolled |
| you can cultivate your hole, the better for your | | | | along a plank track on rollers and manoeuvred into |
| tree. Once it is planted, you can cultivate around it | | | | the exact centre of the hole on a single board. A |
| but not under the roots. If you strike a subsoil of | | | | holding rope from the truck to the base of the |
| building rubble or clay, which you are very apt to | | | | tree trunk helps to position the tree. |
| find anywhere near a house and in which a tree | | | | After the tree is planted, cutting back is proper. |
| cannot grow, this subsoil must be removed and | | | | Cut back sharply at least one-third, pruning the |
| good soil, or better still, garden humus, substituted | | | | branches. It is necessary to brace the tree with |
| for it. | | | | wire ropes so that the roots will not be broken |
| If you are planting a seedling that is not balled and | | | | by the wind. Use a single wire around the trunk |
| bur lapped, you will want to protect it by 'heeling | | | | and three guy wires. |
| in' a vacant flower bed where it may be kept | | | | For the first year after planting, the more |
| before planting as long as dormant. This means | | | | cultivation you can do the better. Keep weeds |
| laying it on its side and covering the roots with | | | | away, too, with straw or mulch, and straw |
| good soil. When you take it from the soil, give it a | | | | manure mulch in the spring and fall will help keep |
| mud bath or 'puddle' it. Puddling protects the roots | | | | the moisture in the ground. |