Daily Kennebec journal., 1908-12-12
Trees and Shrubs.

Trees and Shrubs.
There is no better time than early
February for transplanting Towering
trees and shrubs from the wild into
home grounds. especially if January
thaw has barred the ground and the air
thrills with the promise of spring. The
trees are dormant. their roots packed
tight in frozen earth 1t is harder
digging, but you get a better ball OF
roots
Certain Towering trees among our
native species are as beautiful as any
eXoticS obtainable from a nurseryman.
In fact all the best ones are sold by
nurseryman. Where these trees are
common there can be no objection to
digging them up to take home. And
these trees are always dearer to the
family than trees purchased from
full purse by proxy.
Eight native trees are available for
transplanting to the home grounds this
month Go to the woods and locate
full-grown tree. You cap do this be-
fore winter sets in, and mark the tree;
or if YOU wait, the bark, shape, hang
ing seeds. leaves on the ground, or the
situation of a tree may enable you to
recognize IL III W HItei Inc "AHeSA
bud is the best means of Identification.
Next best is the arrangement OF BUDS,
whether opposite or alternate. "A twlg
from the old tree will enable you to
find saplings Of the same species. Ihe
buds are exactly alike.
First comes the problem of selection.
The younger tree is the safer IN its
transplanting Choose shapely young
, specimens that grow in open spaces
Their roots are not entangled with
those of older trees. They have haa
sun and air. Their buds are large.
They will make a quick, vigorous start
for their twigs are stored with food.
Their bark is thicker; they are harder
than saplings in crowded places. rap
rooted trees are hard to dig and hard
to move Fibrous-roOted ones are
easier for they are shallower and nave
close grip on the soil Trees growing
in city loan are more successfuiiy
transplanted than those in sandy SOIL,
for clay sticks and sand falls away.
The second problem is to dig saphns
so as to save the highest percentage H
its fibrous roots and to keep these from
exposure to the air. In February.
careful digging will usually turn out a
solid ball Of earth. This may De
wrapped in gunnysack to hold It to-
gether on the home trip
The last problem is to set out the
tree in the hole previously dug to re-
ceive it. 1t should be solidly packed
with soil all around and under the ball
of earth. 1t should have it's old level
no lower. no higher. The top must oe
pruned to offset the loss of roots NO
watering is necessary.
In short, the philosophy OF success1ui
transplanting Of deciduous trees Is
that the small feeding roots should, De
kept in ignorance of the change that Is
going on.
Every garden needs Towering dog
wood, with it's snow Of white blossoms
in spring. 1t should be planted in the
border of an open lawn, but overtopped
behind by large trees. because is has
no foliage by large trees, because 1t
has no foliage of it's own at Towering
time to make a background for the
blossoms. The price of such a beauti-
ful tree is careful transplanting and
patience with it's slow growth.
:, The tulip. tree is another particular
Tree. It's roots are f1eshy and easily
injured. To get young sapling home