Evening star., 1941-08-09

Shortly after We moved, We went
thing in mother natures care. Re
turning in the fall, our first thought
was of our favorite tree, which
seemed to be dropping its leaves
rather early. However. knowing lit
tie aboxt a catalpa tree, we were
not mutA concerned.
The following spring we discov-
cred that all was not well with the
tree. 1t looked i'll, so We called in
a reliable tree surgeon TO examine
it. After digging and probing and
much mysterious "goings-on," we
were informed that it was too late
to restore the tree to normal life
and that it would slowly die. The
explanation was that the tree had
been smothered by being filled in
too much.
We love trees and look upon them
as responsive, living things: so we
were distressed beyond words. We
had about decided to have the tree
cut down when our attention was
directed to a tip-top branch right
above us. There was robin, peal
ing forth a joyous song while dill
gently building her nest. This slim
ulated us somewhat. We decided
not to cut down the tree-that some
good might yet come out Of this
apparent tragedy, if We had gump-
ton enough to try to do something
about it ourselves.
We learned that trees breathe:
hence their need for fresh air is
Just as real as that of human beings.
They must have air, not only above
the ground for the leaves, but also
below the soil for the roots. Since
trees have no respiratory system
comparable to that present in ami
mails, 1t is necessary that air come
in direct contact with all the living
tissues, especially those which are
vitality active, as are the growing
root tips. Because of this, a lack
of air around the roots of a tree
soon shows its effect in the size and
color of the leaves, which afford an
excellent key to the general vigor of
a tree. This was an unmistakable
indication of our tree trouble.
We set to work and had the soil
dug up for a distance of about four
feet around the entire tree. Here,
under the sod. we found sticks,
stones, bricks. bottles and whathave-
you in solid mass-enough to kill
the most vigorous root system. This
trash was all removed and good,
rich earth filled in to depth OF
about four feet. Our intention was
now twofold: First, to try to bring
back the tree, if possible; and Sec
ondly, to use the tree for sub
stantial support for vines, while do
ing so.
In this good earth we planted four
wistaria vines, number OF climbing
roses, a Japanese grapevine, Heav-
enly Blue and Scarlet O'Hara morn
ing glories, and some moon vines
for good measure. Then all dead
branches and twigs were pruned
from the tree. Two bird feeding sta
tions and a wren house were placed
on limbs. 1t was no time at all until
Johnny and Jenny Wren were seen
hovering around. Finally, after con-
siderable fussing by Jenny, they de-
cided to rent the house for the sea-
son-and brought forth two broods
of young during the summer. BY
this time, too, the robin family was
thriving high in the tip-top
branches. The wistaria vines were
hopping up like the proverbial
Jacks beanstalk. The morning
glories and moon vines bloomed
beautifully in due time and some
of the roses helped out with a few
flowers.
At intervals during the entire
Spring and Summer the bed was
fertilized and watered with the
soil soaker. Other beds had also
been dug near the tree. In the
fall a heavy mulch of COW manure
was placed on the tree bed and thus
ended our effort for the first season.
Interest in this spot did not die,
however. Each day during the fall
and winter birds flocked to the feed
ing stations. About our premises
are many birds-bluejays, cat and
mocking birds, cardinals, blue birds,
scarlet tanagers, gold-finch, titmice,
nut-hatch, warblers, brown thrush,
the robin, of course, wren, many
different species of sparrows, juncos,
the inevitable starlings. and others
we cannot name. Many, If not all,
of these birds were observed stop
ping by for a tempting morsel and
some gossiping or squabbling with
each other. There was an assort-
ment of food to choose from-sun.
.>Al ~~S~AA nS~S