Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-04-06
SELECTION OF
SHADE TREES
THE BEST vARlEi lies FOR THAT
AND ORNAMENTAL PUR.
POSES.

Prof. r. w. Fisher, of the Montana
experiment station at Bozeman, con-
tributes the following valuable article
relating to the selection of trees for
shade and ornamental purposes in this
state:
There are very many inquiries as to
the kinds of trees to plant for shade
and ornamental purposes in both the
towns and country places of Montana.
On account of the different soils, ele-
vations and climatic conditions, found
in the various parts of the state, it Is
impossible to name any one tree as be-
ing prominently best for all purposes
in all parts of the state.
While the variety or kind of tree
planted has much to do with the sue
cess obtained, yet the care given in
growing the tree often has as much to
do with the results as the tree itself.
A good cultivator can very often make
an inferior tree or plant grow better
than poor cultivator with the very
best plants at his command. This
lack of intelligent care is the cause of
many failures in tree growing where
the failure has been attributed to the
kind of tree or nurseryman furnishing
the tree Most trees have a prefer
ence or do best when grown upon some
particular kind of soil, yet they can be
made to grow vigorously upon most
any soil if it has the necessary plant
food elements, with sufficient mois.
ture, yet not too wet, and given the
cultivation necessary for tree growth
in any part of the country or in any
kind of soil.
General Principles.
There are a few general principles
to be observed in tree planting and
growing that may help those who con.
template planting trees this spring
here mentioned. what is said here
in regard to planting and caring for
trees applies equally as we'll to shrubs
and other plants.) The first requisite
is, Of course, good plants, and these
can usually be obtained best by order
ing direct from nurserymen. For this
state trees grown in Montana nurser-
les or in other states with climatic
conditions similar to ours are likely
to give the best results, as they will
be acclimated and thus better able to
Withstand our weather conditions.
When the trees or shrubs arrive from
the nursery, which should be in the
spring, they should be planted at once
or if the ground is not ready to receive
them heeled in until the holes are dug
and the weather suitable for planting
Along parkings and in city lots
where grading has been done the tor
soil is very often in poor mechanical
condition to grow plants of any kind
In such places rotten manure should
be incorporated with the soil before
trees or other plants are set out The
holes should be large enough to re-
ceive the roots without in any way
crowxlins or bending them out of theil
natural position. Having the holes
dug and all other preparations made
the tree is now placed in the hole, care
being taken that the roots do not ge,
dry, just a little deeper than it stood
In the nursery. All broken roots should
be cut off, making a smooth cut or
the under side of the root. Fill in with
fine. moist rich dirt around the roots
packing the dirt in with the fingers
thus insuring against any air spaces
next to the roots. Fresh manure neal
the roots is not as good as it is likely
to heat and burn the roots or make thu
soil too dry for root growth. Whe1
the dirt has been well worked arouny
the roots the hole may then be fillet
about half full with dirt and if the sol
is dry the remainder of the hole shoult
be filled with water. This not only pro
vides for the necessary moisture, bu
also tends to pack the dirt around tn
roots. After the water has soake'
away fill the hole nearly full with dir
and pack down firmly with the feet O
tamper, and then throw on some fin
dirt and leave it loose so that it will
shut off evaporation. Until the tree i
firmly established in the soil. and eve
after, the ground around the tree O
shrub should be dug up occasionall
and loosened, not only to permit waite
to soak in around the roots but also t
permit the circulation Of air which 1
necessary for all plant growth.
A stream of water running over tn
top of the ground will not soak in dee
enough for the roots to use 1t unles