Gilpin observer., 1906-02-01
THE FARM AND RANGE
Setting Out Trees.

College Prof. Wendell Paddock gives
the following instructions for tree
planting:
1t is not generally realized that
when tree is taken from the nursery
row large portion of the root system
is left in the ground. The balance be-
tween the roots and the top is thus
destroyed and obviously part of the
top should be removed. Practically
all of the elements which nourish and
build up a tree, save one, are taken
from the soil by the roots in liquid
form. This material is carried in the
cell sap mostly through the outer sap
wood to the leaves. Here the crude
food is changed by the influence of the
sunlight and the green substance OF
the leaves to a form that can be read
lily assimilated by the plant. This will
illustrate, briefly, how important the
roots are to a plant. Much of this
elaborated food may be stored in the
cells, especially in the fall, to be
drawn upon at any time that the roots
fail to supply the requisite amount. In
transplanting, the nursery tree is often
deprived of one-half or more of its
roots, and not only must it become
established in the soil but it must pro-
duce large number of new roots be-
fore much new food can be supplied.
In the meantime the leaves begin to
push out and the reserve food and
moisture may all be used before the
root system is in a condition to supply
more.
Is it any wonder, then, that the fail.
ure to cut back the tops of newly
planted trees results in the death of
many of them? This is especially true
in Colorado, as the dry air and intense
sunshine Cause the young trees to dry
out rapidly.
1t is also true that many nursery
men, as well as fruit growers, are
careless in handling trees before they
are planted. Not infrequently the
roots are exposed for hours to the dry
ing action of the wind and sun. One
must take the chances of such treat
ment from the nurserymen, but after
the trees have been received by the
grower there is no excuse for neglect
in this respect. The trees should be
heeled in deeply at once in damp soil,
and when planting the work should be
so arranged that the roots of each
tree shall be exposed to the air for
the shortest possible time.
All bruised and torn roots should be
carefully removed, leaving smoothly
cut ends which will readily heal; if
this is not done decay is apt to set in
which may seriously injure the tree.
Long, struggling roots may we'll be
shortened, and if tangled mass OF
fine roots are present they should be
shortened and thinned. Some success
full growers also insist that where
large spreading roots occur a slanting
chnrId hn hat
surface may rest fiat upon the ground.
1t would seem to be almost super1u-
GUS to insist on the Importance of hav-
ing all nursery stock inspected by the
county inspectors, yet there are few
who trv each year to evade the law in
this respect. There are several insect
pests and plant diseases which are
very common on young trees, all OF
which may be easily overlooked by
anyone who is not thoroughly familiar
with them. The woody aphis is such
an insect and it is doing great
amount of damage in all sections of
the state. This insect lives on the
roots of trees and is introduced to ouT
orchards almost wholly by infected
nursery stock. When once established
it spreads rapidly and is almost i'm
possible to eradicate. Crown gall is a
common disease in many nurseries and
it attacks all kinds of fruit trees. 1t
is the worst kind of folly to plant a
tree which has trace of this disease.
for not only is the tree pretty sure to
die before it comes into full bearing,
but the infection may be spread by the
cultivator or in the irrigation water to
all parts of the orchard.
A statement made in former bulle
tin on the subject of inspection will
bear repetition here:
"All possible assistance should be
given the county inspectors in their
inspection of nursery stock. In coun'
ties where many trees are being
planted, sufficient assistance should be
provided, so that there will be no pos
sibility of any shipments being over
looked. And finally some means should
be devised whereby the Importance of
inspection can be impressed on the
growers, since, in some instances, they
antagonize the inspectors and hinder
their work. 1t is no doubt true that
the inspection of nursery stock alone,
II well done. pays many times over for
all the expense incurred. even in those
counties which eXpend the most money
in orchard inspection"
But in hose counties where several
hundred thousand trees are planted
each spring the inspectors are so
rushed with their work that the most
careful men are liable to overlook an
occasional infected tree; therefore no
grower can afford to be unfamiliar with
these common pests. Each tree should
be reinspected as 1t is planted, and to
make the work thorough the roots
should be dipped in water, so as to re-
move any dirt which might conceal
small gals or few aphids.