The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-26
FACTS ABOUT TREES.
Why a Certain CompaniOnshfp Exists
Among Them-Sudden Changes.
Farmers Bulletin.

In almost every region certain kinds of
trees are found together. This is due to
similarity Of preferences in regard to soil,
heat, moisture and light. Two trees adapt
ed to the same conditions will thrive best
in the same situation. The white ash and
black walnut are good examples. Having
similar preferences, they have almost iden-
teal ranges and are very generally associ-
ated. There is also another reason why
trees accompany one another. tree may
so influence it's surroundings as to make
them favorable TO another tree, where
otherwise they would be unfavorable. AS
an example of such influence the chestnut
on sterile, sandy plains in portions Of New
England forms a uch-branched tree,
which shades the ground and keeps it moist
and cool. Such conditions are favorable to
the termination of the white pine in that
region; consequently ii is found coming up
abundantly beneath the chestnut, but not
abundantly on the open, unprotected
ground.
A change in the surroundings of a tree
always modifies its habit of growth. If the
change is toward more favorable surround
ings the result is seen in increased vigor,
rate of growth and size; if toward un-
favorable surroundings, the reverse will be
true. The stately tulip tree of the central
Eastern States is said to be mere shrub
in Florida. The reason is that there IL is
out of its range of adaptation. The white
elm, which grows with tall and vase-like
form in New England, in the semi-arid
parts of Kansas and Oklahoma is low and
spreading like an apple tree Nor is form
the only variable character. On the West
ern elm the leaves are fewer in number,
smaller thicker and much rougher than
the New England tree. In other parts of
the tree there are differences of the same
kind, though they are not so noticeable as
those in the form and foliage. These varia-
lions have resulted from the differences in
soil and climatic conditions to which the
tree has been subjected
The difference in form between two trees
of the same kind In different localities has
come about through gradual divergence of
characteristics. To certain degree
changes of this kind can be brought about
in practice. When a gradual change is
made in the surroundings of a tree CORE
spending change takes place in the tree
itself. Thus II stock of the New England
elm be slowly moved westward through
many generations, ii will gradually change
in form and other characteristics to be
sumed that this change is necessary to
enable it to live under its new conditions.
Sudden changes in the surroundings of a
tree frequently cause its death, because il
cannot quickly change itself TO meet the
requirements of its new conditions The
New England elm moved at once to the
Semi-arid West is likely TO die, because it
is not adapted to the conditions of soil,
light, heat and moisture of that region.
In the prairie marshes of northern Indiana
there are occasional knobs which once sup
ported thrifty oaks of moisture-loving
kinds. Now that the marshes have been
drained the drying out of the soil has
caused the oaks to die The change was
too sudden. Suddenness and intensity of
change often account for the failure of
trees to thrive when moved away from the
region to which they were adapted. This
is also why Eastern trees so often die when
moved to the West. This is why nursery
stock grown near by can be more safely
planted than that grown in a distant re-
gion. IL is a practical matter, and should
be generally understood.