In their
instructions they say to plant the tree one inch deeper than it was in
the nursery. Too many laymen reason that, if planting the tree one inch
deeper will help, then the tree should do even better if planted six
inches deeper.

After eighteen years of trying to learn why transplanted trees do not
thrive, I am convinced there are four main causes. I list them in the
order of their prevalence. First and foremost, too deep planting.
Second, fibrous roots allowed to become dry. This may occur in transit,
in the hands of the purchaser or because of air space around the roots
after planting. Third, deficiency of moisture due to low humus content
of the soil or drought. Four, rodent damage. While some nut trees are
possibly more difficult to re-establish than a few other species, if
care is used to see that none of these four conditions occurs, there is
no reason why a well-rooted tree should not grow and remain healthy.

Up to this point I have been dwelling on the negative side. Though it
must be confessed that the preponderance of such planting has not
fulfilled the owner's expectations, we must remember that the fault does
not lie in the trees but in the human element. If the purchaser of nut
trees has received proper instructions and carries them out faithfully,
the trees will grow. Not all of the fault, however, can be placed upon
the purchaser. The nurserymen should remember that there is a place for
gilded pictures and glowing generalities but that place is not in the
directions for planting and care. These directions should be practical,
precise and detailed, with no implications of Midas returns from a half
acre grove. Every grower of nut trees knows that problems and troubles
continue to arise which tax his knowledge and experience. How much more
baffling such difficulties are to the layman who is just embarking on
the venture of growing trees.

I have planted nut trees and have seen them grow to maturity and yield
bountifully. I have seen a few farm tree plantings which have more than
repaid the time and effort. Though the varieties now grown by nurserymen
are inferior to those that I am confident will be produced at some
future time, they still have sufficient merit to warrant planting.

You who are interested in nut trees which thrive in the northern states,
must recognize that two factors contribute to the development of
superior strains. One is hybridizing and the other sport development.
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