The Coconino sun., 1924-10-24
THE CoCON1N0 SUN

us plant more elms, ashes and similar
long-llved species Under proper con
dltiens the American elm will grow
i two or three feet year, which ought
to be fast enough even in the present
4 impatient age. Other long-lived spe-
4 cies which probably would thrive here
are the Russian olive, blackberry.
/ honey locust and black locust Among
/ the evergreens, blue spruce, white fir.
Arizona cypress and the native iuni-
pers are deserving OF trial
Good Stock Necessary
4 A large percentage of the failures
/ in Flagstaff has been due to the fact
4 that the trees were dead or nearly
! dead when planted. When a tree is
/ transplanted, its roots should never be
/ allowed to become dry. This applies
particularly to evergreens. In humid
regions this and other forms of care
lessness are often practiced with i'm
munity, but under our conditions the
results are usually fatal In ordering
trees or any other plants, the nursery
man should be instructed to pack
carefully and to ship by express ratI-
er than by freight. On arrival, utmost
care should be exercised to prevent
Planting
Many trees die or fail to grow well
because they are planted in the hard
clay soil which predominates in Flag
staff. Where clay or hardpan are en-
countered, holes should be dug at least
four feet square and two and half
feet deep. The clay and stones should
be replaced by loamy or sandy surface
soil. Fertilizers, if used at all during
the first season, should be applied |
sparingly.
The best time to plant is in the
spring as soon as the ground is dry
enough to work Early planting gives
the roots time to take hold before the
leaves come out. Fall planting, though /
successful in other regions, is mot |
recommended here because of the dam
ger Of winter killing.
Care of Trees
Watering is the most important step
after tree has been properly planted. /
Unless the soil is very wet, good
soaking after planting is desirable
both to insure abundant moisture and
to settle the soil around the roots. A
common mistake is to water too light
ly and too often. A thorough soaking
once in two weeks is sufficient. The.
water should penetrate to depth of
at least three feet. To insure this it
should be applied in circular trench
about six inches deep around the base
of the trunk at distance of about two
feet. A common mistake is to pour
water in hole right at the trunk.
This tends to loosen the tree, and the
water often fails to reach the ends of
the roots where it is most needed. AT
ter the water has settled, the trench
should be filled with dry earth. Grass
should not be permitted around the
base of young tree. After the trees
are well established, grass may be per-
mitted if ample provision is made for
wetting the soil deeply. In lawns it is
an excellent plan to sub-irrigate the
trees by means of tiles.
Pruning should aim primarily to
form the crown at the desired height
and to remove dead, abnormal or ex-
cess branches When a tree is first
planted, the branches should be cut
back to six inches, and the top should
not be. over seven feet high. A pro-
tective framework is good insurance
against injury. 1t also shades the
stem and provides a means of tying
the tree so as to prevent excessive J
swaying in the wind.