The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-19
Growing Forest Trees.

New York Observer
For several reasons the sugar maple seems
to be the most useful shade tree to plant in
all sections where it will grow Though in
the forest it shoots up and does not yield as
much shade as many other trees, it spreads
its branches much more when growing alone
and if its growth is made symmetrical by jul
dieious pruning soon after it is set it becomes
one of the most beautiful of shade trees. 1t
also makes the best of fuel, and, moreover
sugar orchard by the roadside, where the sap
can be conveniently gathered with team, is
no small advantage.
But | can't afford to wait for sugar or
chard TO grow up" says the young farmer,
and the old farmer cant afford to plant
trees for posterity."
Granting that waiting is an impossibility
to an American, let me suggest to the young
farmer that he plant the trees and then
busy himself about something else until they
grow up in the meantime feasting his eyes
and mind upon the growing trees, and con-
graduating himself that if he dies young he
may leave his mark in the world. The objec-
ton of the old farmer may be answered by
reminding him that he can leave no more
useful monument than tree, that he will
probably live to sit in its shade, and even if
he does not it is but selfish objection; for
who does not aspire to leave the world
little better than he found it, and to do
something for which future generations will
bless him? A writer on forestry says; Thou
sands of men are toilng this day to lay up
wealth for their children, when, if they
would invest small amount in land and
then plant a few acres of our best forest
trees, their money would grow into
fortune by the time their children had
grown into manhood"
Besides planting trees by the roadside for
shade, it is profitable investment to plant
them upon WORKOUT lands, especially upon
barren hill tops, where some kind of trees
will flourish, though the soil be too dry and
stony for other vegetation.
The pine tree, for example, thrives in soil
which is too poor for profitable cultivation,
and the elm will grow rapidly almost any
where.
Trees planted for the purpose of growing
timber should be placed nearer together
than shade trees, in order that they may grow
taller and with less top and fewer knots
Another purpose of planting trees is the
reboisment of the denuded slopes, which can
be most successfully accomplished by making
horizontal terraces or notches for sowing the
seed or planting the trees. When they are
we'll rooted they obstruct torrents, and the
rain is gently filtered through the earth in
stead of running in channels on the surface,
and carrying with it the best of soil The
debris from the hillside will be caught
by the roots and trunks. and together with
the fallen leaves, will form new and pro-
ductive soil.
Trees for transplanting from the forest
should be selected, SO far as possible, stand
ing apart from the others. In raising them
from the seed care must be exercised to
gather and plant the seeds at the right time.
1t is impossible to specify the time for SOW
lug all kinds of tree Seeds but the general
rule is to sow them soon after they are ripe.
The seeds of the sugar and Norway maple
ripen in autumn, while those of the red and
silver maple ripen in June and preserve
e.
tree seeds can be kept so that they will re-
tain their vitality for several months if put
in a cool, dry place, Except in localities
where land is very cheap it is generally best
to plant the seeds in a nursery and trans
plant the trees when they are large enough,
but there is risk in transpanting nut trees
where the ground is dry. Coniters are very
difficult to raise from seed, unless
the delicate plants are screened
from the sun when they first
appear above the ground. This may be done
with brush, or by supporting pieces of lath
few inches above ground leaving interstices
between as wide as the pieces When land is
plenty it is more advantageous to sow the
seeds thickly in drills where you wish the
trees to stand, and, as they grow, thin them
out, using the surplus for poles, stakes, ETC.,
which are much in demand on the farm.
The cottonwood, poplar and willow can be
most easily propagated by cuttings Take
healthy shoots of last years growth and bury
them obliquely in the ground, and they will
under favorable circumstances send up a
sprout
This subject is almost inexhaustible. One
who is interested in it, if he is familiar with
the French language, should read Carriere's
treatise on conifers and other French works,
since the French have studied forestry thor
oughly. Among the best English works are
Hough's Elements of Forestry" Fuller's
Forest Tree Culturist," and some of Henry
D. Thoreau's writings.
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