The Little River news., 1922-06-03
CARE FOR YOUR SHADE TREES

CARE FOR YOUR SHADE TREES
 Through the courtesy of the Little River News I am using this space to make few suggestions that may as- sist in caring for and saving many newly planted shade trees this spring. I have set out between 300 and 400 shade trees in Ashdown last year and this year and have a keen interest in seeing them grow to be strong thrifty trees, thing they will not do without good care and attention for several years following planting.
 I always set out trees a little lower than the surrounding ground, this puts them deep enough to insure suf- ficient moisture except in very long dry spell especially if each tree has been given top dressing of barn yard manure which will help in hold ing the moisture. Be very careful not to fill in or allow to fill in sand or heavy dirt around the body of the tree for the first two years then it can be gradually filled to the level Of the surrounding ground.
 The dressing of barn yard manure mentioned above will not pack and therefore will not do harm in this re- spect and the rains will carry the plant food to the roots of the trees causing the trees to double their growth over trees not treated with top dressing of manure so by all means do not neglect this important matter.
 Be careful to protect your trees so they will not have their new root sys- tenn disturbed in any way or your trees may die as a result of the shocks especially if this disturbance should occur during a dry spell.
 Many trees are killed each year from the following causes which mention in the order of their destruc tiveness:
 Filling in around trees, getting them too deep in ground, this is especially the case with water oaks and possibly kills more trees than anything else. Next to this I mention the habit of children and persons of other ages swinging around trees and shaking them loose in the ground. Certainly many trees are killed by stray stock careless driving of wagons and autO- mobiles and most of these causes forethought and attention, at this time such as a few corner posts and other protection where there is much pass ing. Many trees bud out in spring and die before the summer is over be- cause they lack sufficient plant food to keep them in a thrifty condition and the tree borers and other worms and insects attack them causing them to die.
 Just now as your trees are begin ming to bud take your hand and rub off all the low buds this will throw more strength to the top ones which you care to save and unless you shake the body of the tree by leaning against it this will not damage your tree.
 Do not attempt to straighten your trees now if they have settled to one side but leave them as they are until fall when they can be put in proper shape.
 Give your trees the same care you would give anything else which you expected to last for generations and you will be surprised at the results.
 There are times when water is ne- cessary to save the trees but if the above suggestions are followed most trees will survive the summer with nothing except the natural rainfall unless this summer should be dryer than the last two. But, during the dry spells water always helps, pro vided the ground is well soaked a. round the tree when you do water them, a partial watering will do harm, rather than good
 w. G. Escott.