Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-03-11
Soil Moisture


adaptability to moisture conditions
Those which are found habitually il
dry situations usually possess wha
is known as "tap-root" system
| the main root stalk growing down
ward to a considerable depth. Thos
trees which are found usually il
| moist situations develop "shal
low or surface-root system''-th
main root splitting up into mum
Der of branches which spread in al
directions within a short distance o
! the surface. The form of root sys
tenn is characteristic for givel
kind of tree and must be given du'
consideration when planting. IL
| other words, a tap-rooted tree VII
not thrive in wet ground; nor vii
| a shalloW-rOoted individual prove {
success in dry ground. There is, o.
course, an intermediate group Whlcf
may persist under extreme condl
| tionS, either wet or dry.
Tap-Root System-White oak
hickory, walnut, pecan, white pine
| longleaf pine.
mediate-Locusr, sycamore
yellow poplar, red oak, loblolly pine
ash.
Surface-Root system-soft maple
| willow, lack gun, river birch, cy-
press, hemlock.
Trees as a class are not .fastidious
as to soil fertility, in this. respect
differing greatly from agricultural
and forest crops. The bulk of the
soil elements required in growth are
drawn from the Subsoil, far beloW
the surface. For this reason 1t is
seldom advisable to apply fertilizers
and fruit fall, there is formed e
layer of humus on the surface OF
the ground beneath the tree, the
great value of which is in lncreas.
ing the moisture holding capacity OF
the soil,
had in applying barnyard manure
to the surface Of the ground about
the tree for a radius equivalent TO
the size of the crown. The main
tenance of a hard, sun-baked sur
face beneath the tree must be very
detrimental and should be corrected
Consider Future Growth
In selecting a tree for particular
situation one must consider the
growth Of future years. A SINAI
place demands dwarf tree or shrub
| a space of Is or 20 feet may be sui
ficient for a wing elm, magnolia
! laurel cherry, pin oak or birch. Large
| trees demand plenty of space, now
ever, and should not be planted less
| than 20 feet from building or 6(
feet between individuals. Many per
sens desire a quick effect and fol
| this reason plant too closely, the re-
suit being that the trees soon become
unthrifty because of croWd1ng Or
| timing completely destroys the de-
sired effect. This difficulty may be
prevented through the adoption OF
the effect not of the present but OF
| the future, say 25 or even so years
from now. Such q plan takes into
consideration the characteristic form
and development of the particular
kinds of trees used.
development is sufficient space fol
| the root system, especially as re
| CARDS depth of soil. Hard-pan OF
Icck may underlie the soil alta q
81. ght depth and effectua1ly prohibit
| tree growth. Occasionally it is pos
sible to rectify such a situation by
| u, use of dynamite. The soil should
| be made accessible to developing
roots to a depth of at least six feet
better 10 or IL feet. The horizontal
space should be at least six by six
| feet, although a long strip three. Oh
four feet wide may be equally good
The soil should be fertile, sandy
| Ioam, if best results are to be had
| There are, however, native species
adapted to any particular type OF
soil found in the state and it's fire.
quent1y advisable to confine ones
planting to these kinds. On the>othel
hand it is often advisable to dig q
fill in with top soil" with which
well rotted manure has been mixed
Unless the tree develops rapidly anC
normally, the effect of the planting
may be unduly delayed or destroyed
Nursery Seedlings Best
Nursery grown seedlings are to be
preferred to wild stock, since one
object of nursery handling is the
formation of fibrous roots the pos
session of which greatly reduces the
shock attending transplanting. Nurs-
cry grown stock is also of better
form, more vigorous and more apt
to be free from disease and insects
Such seedlings are packed so that
the roots do not easily become dry
AS soon as received they should be
"heeled in" moist soil. Just before
planting the Seeding is pruned-the
crown is cut back to secure proper
form; and the root system, proper
tionately. Broken skinned and
bruised roots should be removed. All
cuts should be 'clean''-with a sharp
knife.
The hole should be roomy. The
Seeding is set several inches deeper
than 1T stood in the nursery. Roots
are spread in as nearly normal posi-
tion as possible and the well brok-
en-" soil is slowly shoveled in, work
ing the material firmly between the
roots. All underground parts should
come in close contact with moist
soil When the hole is about two
thirds full, the soil is settled with
several buckets of water. The hole
IS then filled to within'a few inches
Of the surface, providing for shall
low well" about the base of the tree