The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-03-29
OUR TREES THE TINE Of PLANTING


~ PROF. J. ?. THoMPsoN.
The question - to the best time
for tree transplanting. has been dis.
cussed from time immemorial. some
writer's advocating one time In the
year. and others with equally good
argument, another. Besides advocating
Spring or Fall planting some authori-
ties also believed the moon had an in.
fluence.
Pliny. in writing on this subject
says: when you root up the Elm, the
Pine. the Nut tree, or any other kind
OF tree, mind and do SO when the
moon is on the wane after midday.
when there is no south wind blowing"
But since we know more about the
habits Of trees and what they need and
how they obtain their food and water.
think we may say that tree may
be successfully transplanted in any
month and in any day Of the year. It
IL merely . question Of what time in
the year . tree will require the least
amount Of care. in doing the work and
after II II done. II . tree 10 In full
foliage and actively Ut work, 1t re-
quires more care and skill to trans
plant successfully. One must know
how to stop the trees work during
the time OF transplanting and how to
start 1t when the work IL done. But
trees are rarely ever transplanted
when in full leaf but 1t can be done
and has been done SUCCESSFULLY.
The most convenient time however.
10 when the tree 10 not working. when
It has but little water in 1t. when its
food has been either converted into
plant tissue or stored away ~ reserve
food. and II IL 10 q deciduous tree.
when the leaves have fallen and the
tree Of its own accord has reduced it,
surface to the minimum. This period
Ia any time from October to April or
from late fall to early spring. There
is ono fairly good reason for late fall
planting and It Is this: After the
leaves have fallen the roots Of . tree
continue to grow for long time: II
the ground does not freeze to any very
great depth this growth may continue
all winter. 30 that q tree transplanted
in the fall, may by the time spring
comes. have gotten q pretty good grip
on the soil without any loss Of wa
ter through Transportation. because it
has no leaves. while II the transplant
Ing IL done in the spring the leaves
soon come out and loss Of water be.
gins before = good root system has
been established to supply such loss.
But on the other hand II . tree Is
transplanted in the spring. It does
not have hard winter to live through
In a wounded condition and in q new
position. There Is not 30 much danger
not have to wait 40 long for nourish-
ment. or in other words. there Is not
rs much danger Of death by stsrva-
ton. Then Of course latitude has
something to do with the time OF
planting. In Indiana II is generally
agreed that spring plant ng Is more
O. silly successful.
When people contemplate planting
trees in their lawn or on the street,
their wish to get the results Of their
work AS soon as possible and this has
led to the planting Of larger num-
bers Of quick growing trees, which
are nearly always undesirable trees.
This accounts for 30 many Carolina
Poplars In this and nearly every city
0nd town In the state. Quick grow.
ing trees are nearly always trees east.
Dy broken by the wind or they have
some other undesirable trait that will
render them finally q nuisance. The
Carolina Poplars have the bad habit
Of stopping up drain pipes and sew.
ers with their roots and It was q wise
thing to order their removal in this
city. Most cities. that have tree ordin.
ances prohibit the planting Of trees OF
prescribe . list that may be planted
which does not include this tree.
Our most abundant tree in Rich.
mond 10 tn Silver Maple. It Is nearly
~ bad - the Carolina poplar. Most
Of them have been 20 cut to pieces
that It 10 only q question Of time
when they viii have to be cut down
and then they may be replaced by
better kinds.
In the long run It 10 far better to
plant for the future beauty Of the
street. then for immediate results. and
as . rule the most desirable trees are
the slow growers.
Suppose you do not live to see the
tree you plant reach it, full beauty
suppose you never will enjoy the shade
II will some day cast: some one else
will. HE who plants An oak. looks
forward to future ages and plants fol
posterity. Nothing can be more un
selfish than this"
The question win arise. a. the time
for transplantins draws near. 40 to
the best size. should say that the
younger the better. II you can wait
for results. A. rule trees from two
10 three inches In diameter will give
the best satisfaction. Trees from eight
to ten inches or even larger can be
successfully transplanted, but it 10 al