Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-07-20
Growing Forest Trees.


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 1t shoots up, and does not yield as
much shade as many other trees, it spreads
its branches much more when growing alone,
and, If It's growth is made symmetrical by
judicious pruning soon after it is set, it be-
comes one of the most beautiful of shade
trees. 1t also makes the best of fuel, aud,
moreover, a 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
orchard to grow up" says the young farmer
and the old farmer "can't afford to plant
trees for posterity."
Granting that waiting is au impossbility
to au 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 feastng his eyes asd
mlnd upon the growing trees, and congratu-
iating himself that If he dies Young he may
leave his mark in the world. The objection
of the old farmer may bs answered by re-
minding him that he can leave no more use
full monument than tree. that he will prob
ably 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 bet
ter than he found it, and to do something for
which future generations will bless him! A
writer on forestry says ,"Thousands of men
are toiing this day to lay up wealth for their
children, when, if they would invest q small
amount in land and then plant few acres of
our best forest trees, their money would
grow into fortune by the time their chill
dren had grown into manhood"
Besides planting trees by the roadside for
shade, it is profitable investment 10 plant
Iat ,all
barren hill-tops, where some kinds of trees
will flourish, though the soil be too dry and
| stony for other vegetation. J
The pine tree, for example thrivcs in sol
which is 10 poor for prorlaOle cultivation,
AMI 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
reboismcnt Of the denuded slopes. which can
be most successfully accomplished by max
| ing horizontal terraces or no,ches for sowing
| the seed or planting the trees. When they
are well rooted they obstruct torrents, and
the rain is gently filtered through the earth
instead OF running in channels on the surface,
and carrying with it the best of the 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-
ductivc soil.
| Trees for traDsplanting from the forest
should bs selected, 50 far as possible, stand
Ing apart from the others In raising them
from the seed, care must be exercised 10
gather and plant the seeds at the right time.
1t is impossible tospeciiy the time for sowing
all kinds of tree seeds, but the general rule is
| "A hal uft Ri
seeds Of the sugar and Norway maple ripcn
in autumn, while those of the red aud silver
maple ripcn in June aud preserve their vitall-
~ only Il few weeks, though most Tree SEEDS
can be kept so that they will retain their vi
tality Tor several months ii put IN cool, dry
place. Except in localities where land is
very cheap it is generally best TO plant The
seeds in nursery. and transplant the trees
when they are large enough, but there is Il
risk IN transplant ny Eut trees where the
ground is dry. Conifcrs are very difficult
to raise from seed, unless the delicate plants
are screened from the sun when they first
, appear above ground. This may be done
| with brush, Or by supporting pieces OF latl
| a few inches above ground, leaving inter
, stices between as wide rs the pieces. WhcI
land is plenty il is more advantageous Il
| sow the seeds thickly in drills where yoi
wish the trees to stand, and as they grow
| thin them out, using the surplus for poles
, stakes, ETC., which are much in demand oi
[ the farm.
The cottonwood, poplar and willow can b.
5 most easily propagated by cutting. TAX
, healthy shoots of last years growth and bur
r them obliquey iu the ground, and they vii
, under favorable circumstances send up
? sprout.
I The subject is almost inexhausliblc. On
s who is interested in 1t, if he is familiar wit
n the French language, should read Carriere'
+ treatise on couifers aud other French works
since the French have studied forestr.
G thoroughly. Among the best English WORK
K are Hough's "Elemeniry of Forestry" Flu
s er's Forest Tree Culturist,' and some o
c Hen:y ID. Thoreau's writings.