Decorah-posten., 1898-02-25

| Lawn, Shrub, and Flower. !
Eittd ~ PEor G A. OLIVER
Planting and Care of Shade
Trees aud windbreaks.

OF the Northwest, by planting
shelter belts of native trees.
Farmers generally do not taxi
advantage OF the very easy anC
sure way of adding value to thei.
real estate by planting our nativ,
trees in neat lines along roadside.
and lanes, around buildings anc
yards, in waste or unsightiy places
or bluffs that are too rough fol-
cultivation. These places, planted
with black walnut, | believe, will
be as good an investment as the
same area of apple orchard or
suitable soil, although dividends
will not be realized fromthe walnut
timber as early as from the apples
American black walnut can be
grown better by planting the nuts
directly where the trees are
wanted, as the walnut is a little
difficult to transplant, owing to
the large tap-root and the absence
of hbrous roots. This condition
applies to most of the nut bearing
trees. The walnut begins to bear
in Iowa when planted about eight
to ten years; and, although the
nuts r quite strongly favored,
they are relished by many people.
For planting, the nuts should be
gathered a0hen ripe and not allowed
10 dry. They can be kept out
doors by packing in a box of sand,
or may be planted directly where
desired. Cover the nuts three
inches deep, mulching lightly;
keep down grass and weeds and
use plenty of manure. When once
started the trees increase in diam
eter about half an inch every year.
American sweet chestnut is grown
for commercial purposes mostly
in the natural state, but when
planted in the clearance makes a
good shade tree. The leaves are
nicely serrated and glossy, giving
the tree a beautiful appearance.
Hickory nuts have grown quite
popular in the markets, and in
selecting for planting, only use
from trees bearing good sized,
plump-meated nuts. These and
the chestnut require the same
treatment as mentioned for the
walnut. Eastwood, when planted
in the clearance, forms a pretty,
compact shaped head, and besides
being valuable as a timber, shade
and ornamental tree, it IS a source
OF the best crop of honey pro-
duced by any plant grown, and as
our forests are being destroyed it
would be wise to have the bass
wood planted extensively for the
encouragement of agriculture, for
bees are valuable to fruit growers
and farmers, as they insure fertili-
zation of flowers. Eastwood grows
readily from seeds.
Sugar, or hard maple, should be
planted broadcast wherever there
is room for a tree, as it may be
had in most localities for digging.
1t grows a symetrical shaped head
when properly planted and
pruned.
The soft maple grows very
rapidly, and will succeed on a
greater variety of soils than the
hard maple. Trees in our yard
planted eight years are six inches
in diameter and give plenty of
shade for the hammock. Naples
can be dug best with a strong
sharp spade, cutting a circle
around the tree twenty-five to
thirty inches in diameter and lift
ing out the plant with what soil
and leaves adhere to it. Cut off
all branches and saw off the top
not more than seven feet from
the roots. The trees that have
given IS the best satisfaction were
one and a half TO two inches in
diameter a foot from the ground
when planted. When growth starts.
rub off all buds except a few at
the top of the bare trunk to form
a head.
Norway spruce is the best ever
green for practical use, either as a
wind-break or as an ornamental
tree. 1t makes a dense upright
growth of uniform shape, and is
very attractive, planted alone or
alternately with deciduous varie-
ties. Keep trees we'll mulched,
which comes nearest to their
natural condition. The writer does
not favor planting trees thicker
than they r to remain, except
where straight long trunks are re-
CURED for timber, for it requires
more courage than most men have
to thin out a row of trees when
once they are established. 1t has
been estimated that a farm having
100 shade trees well arranged
would sell for $500 more than a
similar farm alongside, other i'm
provements being the same. When
young trees can be found not
more than a mile from the place
where needed, the 100 trees can
be selected, dug, trimmed, and
planted for $500 if the work had
TO be hired, but most farmers are
strong-handed enough to plant
100 trees evar,y c,,;rr