Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-02-03
TRANSFORMING EvERGREENs.

A work on Landscape Gardening, by J.
Downing, Of Newburg, N. Y. contains much
matter valuable to horticultursts. His remarks
on transplantng evergreens, arc entitled to
particular attention-but few persons being sue
cessful in their praise worthy attempts to trans.
plant our beautiful evergreens from their native
forests to the gardens of The town.:
"Most of our horticultural maxims are de-
rived from English authors, and among them,
that of always planting evergreens either in
August or later in Autumn. At both these sea-
sons, it is nearly impossible to succeed in the
temperate portions Of the United States, from
the different character of our climate at these
seasons. The genial moisture of the English
climate renders transplanting comparatey easy
at all seasons, but especially in winter; when
in this country, our Augusts are dry and hot,
and our winters generally dry and cold. II
planted in the latter part of summer, evergreen
become parched in their foliage, and soon per.
ish. If planted in autumn or early winter, the
severe cold that ensues, to which the newly
disturbed plant is peculiarly alive, parayses
vital action, and the tree is so much enfeebled
that, when spring arrives, it survives but short
period. The only period, therefore, that re-
mains for the successful removal of evergreens
here is the spring. When planted as early as
practicable in the spring, SO as to have the full
benefit of the abundant rains SO beneficial to
vegetation at that season, they will almost i'm.
mediately protrude new roots, and regain their
former vigor.
| Evergreens are, in their roots, much more
delicate and impatient of dryness than decidu-
Gus trees; and this should be borne in mind
while transplanting them. For this reason,
experienced planters always choose wet or
misty day for their removal; and in dry wealth.
er we would always recommend the roots to be
kept watered and covered from the air by mats
during transplanting.
When proper regard is paid to this point, and
to juGicyus selection of the season, evergreens
will not be found more difficult of removal than
other trees.
Another mode Of transplanting large ever
greens, which is very successfully practiced
among us, is that OF removing them with frozen
balls of earth in mid. winter. When skilfnlly
performed, it is the most complete Of all the
modes, and is so different from the common
method, that the objections we have just made
to winter planting, does not apply to this case
The trees to be removed are selected, the situa-
tons chosen, and the holes dug, while the
ground is yet open in autumn. When the
ground is somewhat frozen, the operator pro.
ceeds to dig trench around the trees at some
| distance, gradually undermining II, ana leaving
all the principal mass Of roots embodied in the
ball Of the earth. The whole ball is then lef
TO freeze pretty thoroughly, generally till snow
covers the ground,) when large sled, drawn
by oxen, is brought as near as possible, the bal
of earth containing the tree rolled upon it, ant
the whole is easily transported to the hole pre-.
viously prepared, where it is placed in the prop
er position; and as soon as the weather be
comes mild, the earth is properly filled in arount
the ball. A tree, either evergreen or decdu
Gus, may be transplanted in this way, so al
scarcely to show, at the return of growth, any
i'll effects from its change of location"