SHRUBS AND TREES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 84, 6 October 1938, Page 27

SHRUBS AND TREES

Shrubs and trees do not always do as well as we could wish when first planted. There are a few points which are worth remembering. All trees and shrubs which have to be lifted from the open ground will, of necessity, have some roots more or less broken or damaged. Any sucn damaged roots should be cut well away. Torn roots do not heal and may cause decay to spread throughout the root system. When planting the roots should not come into contact with manure and the holes should be large enough to take the roots without any doubling in. Where exceptionally long roots have to be dealt with, it is better to shorten them altogether so that they may be spread out in the prepared holes. It is important that the soil should be well worked in among the roots, and to ensure this it requires to be fairly dry and fine. A practice sometimes resorted to and one which has much to recommend it is that of pouring a bucket or two of water into the holes after the first layer of soil has been put in. The hole is then left until the water has drained away and then filled to the top. Leaving newly-planted trees and shrubs unsupported in exposed positions often causes loss.

Too deep planting may also cause trouble. The correct depth is that which is shown by the soil mark on the stem, the same depth as the plants were in the nursery.