Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-10-09
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makes beautiful lawn tree; either the native or
the European species may be planted. The sour
or black gum grows under most adverse circum
stances but apparently is not well suited fol
street planting, although an Ornamental tree II
deserves place.
Purchase trees from reliable nursery; beware
of tree peddlers. Choose healthy, weformed
trees. Trees two three inches in diameter ana
ten or twelve feet high are large enough for any
purpose Where smaller trees can be used, they
generally give better results because the root
system is less disturbed by transplanting. Do
not expose the roots to the sun, wind or frost
Keep wet blankets or canvas wrapped tightly
about the roots until the tree is ready to be SET
out; then plant with the least possible delay
Trim off any broken, torn injured roots. Use
sharp pruning knife and make clean, smooth
cut. Remove all broken branches and cut back
onehalf to- four-ifths of the previous years
branch growth The size of the top must be pro-
portioned to the size of the root system or the
roots will be unable to supply sufficient water and
food for satisfactory growth. Forestgrown trees
have poor root systems and must be severely
pruned by removing the greater part of the side
branches. Never cut back the main stem or leader.
Dig Wide, Deep Holes.
Dig wide deep holes Trees become root-bound
and make poor growth or die if the roots are
cramped or twisted. The holes should be a foot
or two wider and deeper than is needed to ac-
commotlate the roots For street trees, the hole
actually requires. Partly fill the hole with rich
loan and pack it down WELL If poor soil must be
nsed mix with wel-rotted manure. Green or
partly decomposed manure will burn the roots and
must not be used
Do not plant the tree too deep. The upper
roots should lie only an inch or two deeper in the
soil than they grew originally Spread out the
roots in their natural position and work soil
around them, little Mt time, compacting 1t firm
~ with the fingers pointed stick Occasion
ally lamp it with the foot so that no air spaces
remain. Also see that the stem of the tree Is kept
perfectly vertical. Now water the soil generously.
The final inch or two of soil should be left fine
and loose the top of the hole to act rs n
mulch.
After planting, the tree should be staked to
prevent it from swaying in the wind and growing
crooked. The stake should be long enough to
support the trunk for two-thirds the height of the
tree. Trees exposed to traffic horses and children
should be protected by suitable wooden metal
guards. In case any injury to the young tree re-
suits, apply tree surgery methods at once.
Shallow cultivation of the soil for three feet
around the tree is beneficial during the first few
years of growth. Loosen the top soil with spade
or hoe several times during the season to keep
down weeds and grass. During the hot, dry sum-
rner months watering should be done not oftener
than twice week.
Tree planting should form permanent part of
the Improvement program in every city and town
in the United States. It should not be undertaken
in temporary or haphazard manner; but 1t should
receive the constant thought and attention of those
who are interested in making the community at
tractive and at the same time in adding to the
future timber resources of the United States. 1t
must be remembered that what is done in one
city or two serves as IN inspiration to Others
Let us keep in mind q thought of future so we'll
expressed in the poem by Lucy Larcom, who said {:
"He who plants tree
He plants love.
Tents of GOODNESS spreading out above.
Wayfarers he may not live to see."
So in honorng loved ones let us of the present
look to the future and by memorial tree planting
make this better country in which to live which,
after ALL is all the memorial those loved ones ask.
Yet what memorial. if 1t be accomplished