Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 September 1871 — The Time for Tree Planting. [ARTICLE]

The Time for Tree Planting.

In reading the excellent work of Mr. Chat. Downing on fruits, we notice that he puts great faith in the opinion ul Lind ley, that the fall is the besf ti ne to plant trees. It does not appear that Lindley spoke from any experience in the matter, but simply from what ho conceived to ba physiological reasons. Here we see, he remarks, that the tree’s roots grow all winter. Hence a transplanted tall tree will havo restored Its injured roots, and will be in a better condition in spring than if It had to make new roota aud new leaves all at the same time. This certainly seems very reasonable, and if there were no counteracting influences all would be well. But it does not appear, from a study of Lindley’s writing, that he fully appreciated boW much evaporation of moisture from the steins of trees there is in the winter season. Indeed, how for in the moist English atmosphere there is not much. But from our standpoint—where the evaporation is enormous—Lindley had not the opportunity to see what we Udow. , Wc have found that not only do our trees do what Lindley says English trees do, grow their roota all winter, except when absolutely encased in frost, but even when tho soil is hard frozen. Thawing their way by the air of their internsl heat, they go through the most solidly-frozen block, drawing in a supply of moisture for the rapid exhalations from the leafless bark, continually going od. If this power of moisture in the dead of winter were to cease, some of our hardiest trees would die in a few days, under our cold wintry weather. It is just this which often interferes with the success of our fall planting. Moisture is, in a small degree, absorbed by old roots, but the major part is taken up by the young growing rootlets, chiefly from the ends, which are spongfest and softest. If there has not been time for the production of an abundance ol these, it is hard work for the tree to get through the winter alive. Now if we bear in mind these two great principles, we shall not go far wrong as to the proper time to plant. We see that we have to get new rootlets, and wc have to guard against excessive evaporation until we do. If we can secure enough rootlets to meet all the plant’s wants through the winter, then, assuredly, the fall is the best time to plant trees. Often we can secure these conditions, and often not. It is the object of this article to teach our readers who have not thought of it, how to use wise discretion in the matter. One of the best ways is to plant very early. Do not wait for the fall of the leaf; but commence as soon as the first heavy rains have thoroughly loosened the ground. If the leaves have not all fallen, strip them off. It is no more of an injury for man to do this in the day, whena frost may and often does do it in the same night. If there be much soft and immature wood, cut this back—evaporation is much more easy through this part than the harder and more mature.

Another thing in favor of fall planting will be the selection of warm ground. This will favor the production of rootlets In a cool damp soil, the .roots already on the tree will rather die, than new Ones produce themselves. This is particuhrly the case with some trees which do not make young roots freely in the fall. The tulip tree, oaks, and the peach are familiar instances of this class. And again, he who would have the very best success with fall planting, guards as much as possible against hot bursts of sun, cold wintry winds; and thus he whose place is the best protected in this respect, will have the best of it over him who has not. Some of our readers, we suspect, will wonder why we include the sun in our list of winter enemies to the tall planted tree. But we see how it is after a winter’s experience. The southern side of the fall planted tree is often scorched on that side. This is simply because the sun draws out the moisture there faster than the injured roots can supply it. In favor of fall planting there is yet one item which we can seldom have in spring. This is in reference to the condition of the earth. It is often said that a wet day is good for planting trees, but this is a mistake. The pasty earth does not fit closely to the roots; and the roots cannot well take up moisture, unless they are in close contact with the earth. Hence a half dry soil, that will powder finely when crushed, is to bo preferred. Then every little root finds the powdi ring soil closing in about it; and it is almost as if the root had pushed itself through in the ordinary way It is a good thing in transplanting to have one man pounding with a hammer, as fast as thejearth is being put in. In the spring, what with rain and frost, the soil is not as apt to be friable, as gardeners say, as It Is in the fall of the year. We think, with these facts before them, our readers can judge for themselves how far they can command the essentials to success in fall planting. It will Be seen that an absolute rule as given by Lindley won’t do; but yet there are hundreds ol cast s where it can and will be best to plant in fall. We all have enough to do In spring, and ail we can get done in advance in fall, is great gain, both in time and expense.— Gardener's Month!y.