The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-09-05

DR.. John Laird. Searcy county. Ar
kansas salxs: What is the proper sea-
son for transpIanting small forest trees,
such as maple. pine. walnut, oak, pop
lar. cedar. chm, black gum, ash, etc. q?
The reason why 1 wish for such infor-
nation is that I desire TO have more
shade and forest trees around my house
than / have at present. Please
answer as to the season of the year that
I could with a certainty of success
transplant from my forest to the grounds
around my house"
The doctor mas opened up a pretty
wide field, and as there certainly are
many of our readers like minded we will
give as fun an answer as space will al
low.
Taking trees from the forest is not adj
vocated, because, first, they have too
much shade in their native habitat, and
hence are likely to die when planted
in the open grounds; and, secondly, they
have only had natures care and often
are not well grown as to size and form,
because the struggle for the light makes
them too tall for their thickness; and,
lastly, the accumulated humus in the
forest is a richer soil than they Will
ceive by change of abode. If, however,
there be an opening in the forest so
that small, well-formed trees can be had,
It might be worth while to transplant
such. Let me say, also. that nurseries
would furnish trees, we'll grown three
or four years old, That would be worth
much more than those obtained from
the woods. almost at the cost Of the
labor TO take trees from the forest, and
their roots would be better and in
quence the success Of having them
grown would offset any advantage ma
tive trees would give The forest trees
also would have 10 be sought out per-
haps from wide-separated localities.
Now, as to the season OF the year, we
think always and for all localities spring
IS the best. If our correspondent wishes
10 facilitate and hurry up the season,
and will take the surest steps, let him
select the spots where the trees are TO
stand and dig wide and deep holes, at any
convenient time. In Arkansas it may
be possible to transplant trees in Janu-
airy or at latest in February. Below we
will once more go into the detail Of plant
ing any tree.
The doctor mentions in his list some
cOnifers or evergreens. These require
particular care, because they are not
like decidu0us trees, the tops of which
can be reduced 10 make them balance
the roots. EN cry root of an evergreen
should be preserved and taken up with
the utmost care Again, they must be
kept moist and shaded while being dug,
transported or planted. The reason is
obvious. the sap of these trees is full
OF rOsin, which, once hardened, cannot be
made TO flow. and the tree is dead, vir-
tually, even beforekit is planted in its
new abode
Again, all the nut trees, including
oaks. peaches plums and other hard
pitted fruit trees, have top roots, which
are most essential 20 their growth and
health. These top roots are likely 10 be
cut when taken out of the soil The
skill in transplanting these consists in
the forming of another top root. The
longest lateral root may be bent down
by the planter and so held in place by
packing the earth, that it will actually
become a top root. OF course il should
be as near under the center of the tree
as possible.
Now. as to the planting Of trees The
hole where the tree is to stand should be
both deeper and wider than the roots
would seem to require. a small mound
should be made of new, rich EARTH with
no manure of any sort. On this place
the tree and spread out the roots into
their natural position, extending the
longest laterals TO the southwest the
direction of the prevailing winds. Now
I'LL in between the roots very compactly,
especially under the center Of the tree.
Gradually ill in, taking first the surface
soil until twO-thirds of the hole is filed.
all the time gently shaking the tree and
bending it a little TO the southwest. Now
make the soil compact and pour in
bucket OF water. Settle the soil as much
as possible and fill up some inches above
the level Of the ground. because the first
general rains VIII so settle the earth as
TO leave depression after all that has
been done To make assurance doubly
sure place a strong stake near the tree.
and with some soft material tie the tree
10 the stake and keep it SO for at least
two years. Heavy mulching will be in
order for all the trees, more especially
for the evergreens.
For plants Of the Usage orange, the
secretary of the Kansas horticultural So
ciety, Lawrence, Kas.. will be able.
think, 20 furnish the information wished;
and perhaps also for the Japan quinces
If I were TO plarx a hedge of no greater
extent than a home lot, orchard, or like
small inclosure, 1 would mix these two
plants, viz, Usage and Japan ounce, as
they are not enemies to each other, and
would occasionally plant a trumpet and
Virginia creeper. also, which, all togeth-
er. would make a very ornamental
hedge.-Charles w. Murtfeldt in the ST.
Ia 10