Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-11-04
Planting Trees.

Our readers will plant some thous.
ands of trees during the next two
months, and as the work Is sure to be
done it will pay to see that it Is done
well. The loss will be less II the
trees are thrown on the brush pile
after they are purchased than II the
buyer takes the time and trouble to
plant them In such way that they
will not live. Nurserymen say that
tree planting Is done on the sixteen
to one" plan. That Is, sixteen trees
are planted for every one which lives
to bear fruit. From our own expert
ence and observation we think the es-
innate OF the trees which live to be-
come profitable is too large. Some
of the failures are from planting on
unfavorable soils, some come from
unexpectedly severe freezes or drouths
and many come from poor fences
which allow cattle to brouse on the
young trees, and still moro come
from bad work in planting.
Successful planting begins with
digging the trees In the nursery. II
goes without saying, that only good
trees should ever be accepted. Well
grown and thrifty trees one or two
years of age are much better than
older trees, because they suffer much
less in transplanting and will soon
outgrow n tree which is older and
larger when It is moved. The trees Sc
leoted should be straight and whip
like, or should have at least three
branches of nearly the same size, as
they are almost sure to form bad
crotch which will split the first time
the trees has heavy crop of fruit.
If -branched trees must he used
one branch should he cut off very
near fits base. while the other should
be left much longer. The trees should
be dug with the least possible injury
to the roots, and the roots should not
he exposed to sun and wind any more
than is absolutely necessary. Cover
them with old sacks or straw. and
keep them covered until they are re-
planted. One great advantage in buy
ing trees from a neighboring nursery
Is In being able to select the right
trees. to see them dug properly, and
to see that the roots do not become
dry. Where trees are bought at
distance and must be boxed or baled
the roots should be thoroughly wet as
soon as received and buried In moist
but not wet soil until they are plant
ed
When a large number Of trees are
to be planted the rows should be
4. Ill k,,t ,,.hz l,,I,r
few are handled II Ia easier 10 open
the hiles with a spade. The Mles
should be made large enough so that
each root can lie In It's natural po-
sition, and not be bent or twisted.
and the tree should be put one or two
inches deeper than II grew In the
nursery. Prune each tree before put
ting It into the ground. Cut off all
limbs which are not wanted, and
those which are left should usually
be shortened to about half their origi-
nal length. The roots should be trim
med carefully making clean cut TO
remove the torn and splintered end
Of each. and leaving a fresh. smooth
surface from which the new roots
can start.
The hands should always be used TO
fiji In the soil around the roots. for
good work can be done In no other
way. See that the soil is packed
firmly against the lower side OF each
root. fill the hole little more than
full, and then tramp the soil as hard
as possible. after which little loose
drst should be scattered over the sur
face. and the work Is done. Good
work In planting is absolutely neces-
sary to make good trees.