St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-03-28
ARBORICULTURE.
Interesting Talk on the Trans
planting of Trees.

To the Editor Of the Globe.
Transplanting of trees involves many
considerations, and first of all, healthy
plants should be chosen, and if possible
indigenous to the locality, or better
still, if coming from colder climate
success is more certain than coming
from more temperate climate. The
most successful time for performing the
operation is in the early part of the
autumn months, as soon as the leaves
have become as matured as possible.
This is the most fitting period for de-
ciduouS trees, shrubs, ETC., for then the
plants are as much at rest as at any
period after the summers growth, and
the rest time is that in which most
plants can be safely removed. The
spring for evergreen planting, because
they must be tranSplanted at a season
when they can at once form new roots
to sustain the evaporation of the leaves;
while for deciduous trees it is quite the
contrary. AS regards heat, autumn
planted trees have the advantage of the
earth being warmed by the summers
sun, and this warmth is very grateful to
the roots and induces them to grow and
repair any injury done while lifting"
and planting before the winter arrives;
but when planted in the spring the
earth is chilled after the winters frost
and the roots lie torpid, while
the warmth of the air excites
the branches and gives out
leaves occasioned by some portion of
sap being left in the plant after lift
ing" and the trees struggle hard to
maintain their vitality. Again, as re-
CARDS moisture, in the autumn the air is
mostly charged with moisture, and con-
cnn nnfl CO 1ah &c ,1k fNA
the plants, while in spring the parching
wind and increasing power of the san
together dry up the moisture of the
plant very rapidly and it soon dies.
How deplorable it is to contemplate
the absolute necessity of not looking
ahead in time. ere it is TOO late to arrest
the dircful effects of forest vandalism.
Everybody hewing down and few plant
ing is objectionable, and almost GRIM
inal, If we but look forward to our pos
terity's prosperity and future genera
ton, if this wholesale detorestation is
carried on, making Our atmosphere drier
every year, our lakes and rivers fast
drying up, and our agricultural crops
more uncertain. that it would be we'll, if
we could prophesy OH the future and
tell what within the next decade will be.
True it IS, although many living forests
have been cut away, while others in
treeless regions have been partially de-
veloped. The failures, which doubtless
are much more than the successes, are
largely due to ignorance or ne
glect of the forester or planter.
In our own state and county it is much
to be regretted that property owners
don't seem to take a greater interest in
the Improvement of their grounds by
the introduction OF trees formed into
groups and shelter belts scattered
here and there through their parks. en-
hancing the value of property one hun
dred fold, giving a landscape and at
tractive scenery, making home look
more prosperous and happy. AS l said
before, in former article on tree
planting. it is not like the purchase
of carriage. piano, or any other article
of furniture, which can be postponed,
as they can be had at any time; but
trees require several years to come to
be worth looking at, and each years
delay in planting is all actual loss. Then
and not till then can we look forward
to the restoration of our forests, and
the rising generation may hope to see
better and happier days, and asricult-
ural produce improved, and more rain
fall, measurably restoring our lakes and
rivers, and thus producing more humid
itY in the atmosphere, so essential to
agricultural productions.
Though last, not least, on tree planting:
Whenever the time comes when persons
may take an interest or notion of i'm
proving their property and making the
suburbs of the city more picturesque
and beautiful, using skill and good
judgment in the selection and age of
trees. No use in going to the expense
OF planting old evergreen trees; they
never do any good and always look I'M
slightly, as has been the case of late on
the Summit avenue boulevard; always
an eyeSore during their mutilated exist
ance, the tops of which. as a last re-
course, cut off to try d foolish expert
ment, but alas, now all dead and gone,
and twas only loss Of time and money
to plant such trees at all; and like all
the rest, perhaps, they got ammonia and
fungus disease. from too much horse ma
nure and sawdust. Those who, at least,
did introduce such for the city's orna-
mentation, must have known very little
of arb0riculture, and if they only waited
till after the Christmas holidays they
could have all the evergreen cast-offs
with little expense to the taxpayer or
city, which would be just as good rub
Dish and keep green for time as those
now cremated and gone forever. So
THAT is the way the money goes, and
pop goes the weasel" With regard to
large deciduouS trees, if not taken up
with good balls of earth attached, which
should be done in the winter time, when
the ball of earth would better adhere to
the plant and protect its little spongiloes
or small roots from lnjury-from which
alone nourishment is conducted to the
plant. And the younger deciduous
trees should be carefully handled and
lifted" and not left too long exposed
to the wind; then success is certain, but
not otherwise; and no use in doing and
undoing every year; years loss in
planting is what can't be we'll recalled.
Let thing be we'll done at first, and It's
done forever. Yours respectfully,
J. K. WATERS,
Landscape Engineer, st. Paul, MINI.