TREE FEEDING — An Aid to Lawns HERE is a section of lawn that gets little sunlight. Some sun filters through in the late part of the day but, by and large, it is grass grow- ing without benefit of direct rays of the sun. This lawn area is beautiful year after year from early spring continuing thru summer and fall, until zero temper- ature takes away the bright green color. The reasons for its success are (1) feeding the trees so their roots do not compete for the nutrient supply, (2) the grass three times each year, (3) water- ing early in the summer and often to keep a constant generous moisture sup- ply, (4) cutting the grass at 3 inches during mid-summer, and (5) keeping leaves strongly with the grass feeding removed. Tree culture is a science in itself and experts in that field should be consulted on most problems. However, the benefits of feeding trees have been well established and this is one thing the lawn owner can do himself for the good of the tree and the lawn beneath. What to Use. The important factors of tree growth are the same as those of luxuriant foliage and strong grass; roots. It accounts for the fact that many report excellent results in feeding trees with Turf Builder. This special food meets the need of both grass and trees for a correct balance of nitrogen, inset above. Note Luxurious up to the trunk of this giant grass tree. right phosphate and potash derived from ingredients that assure immediate stim- ulation plus long lasting feeding. How Much? The size of the tree and the kind of fertilizer determine the amount to be used. If Turf Builder is selected, a safe quantity is three pounds per inch of diameter of the trunk. Thus a tree measuring 10 inches through would need 30 pounds for one feeding. The May 1949 bulletin of the Missouri Botanical Garden (St Louis) contains an informative discussion on tree feeding. Their recommendation on the basis of a fertilizer formula similar to Turf Builder is to use the number of pounds obtained by adding together (1) height of tree in feet, in feet, plus plus (2) branch spread (3) lower part of trunk in inches. Thus a tree 20 feet high with a branch spread of 15 feet and trunk circumference of 30 inches (roughly 10 inch diameter) would need 65 pounds of fertilizer. circumference of The author of the bulletin goes on to explain that this may sound like a lot of fertilizer but it isn't so much when one considers that a tree of the size described might have a root zone occupying the equivalent of a half acre of topsoil. The dosage prescribed is for a starving tree. The bulletin suggests the rate might be cut in half for a tree in good growing condition. That is near the Scott recommendation of three pounds per inch of diameter. When. The excellent USD A 1949 Yearbook Trees suggests feeding reg- ularly, preferably in the spring, but safely until mid-summer at least. Late fall, after the trees have lost their leaves, is also recommended for trees other than evergreens. Application. The method used to get food into the root zone depends on the value of the turf above it. If there is a fair lawn under the tree and it is not desired to disturb the grass, the first step is to carefully cut out plugs of sod which will be replaced after the hole is made and the fertilizer in- serted. A flat spade or turf edger may be used to re- move the sod, k e e p i ng at l e a st t wo inches of soil with it. Tree food is placed deeply into the soil by making a series of holes 18 to 24 inches deep, staggered at 2 to 3 foot in- tervals. These a re h o l es placed in the feeding zone beneath the branches, starting about one-third way out from the trunk. The boring tool used to dig post holes is satisfactory for making tree feeding holes. Special soil augers two inches or so in diameter and 24 inches or more in length are often used. These are available with handles for hand use or with shanks, these latter augers to be driven with a % inch electric drill. (Available from A M Leonard & Son, Piqua, Ohio). A crowbar is often used to make holes for tree feeding. It is also possi- ble to make feeding holes in some soils with the force of water from a hose nozzle. Some use special root feeders to open holes in the soil. In case a new lawn is being built or renovation is necessary, holes for funnel is not spilled Use a wide so may be straight or at an it angle. to pour Turf the grass. on Builder Holes tree feeding can be dug with a narrow ditching spade. In such situations it's a good idea to improve the soil con- dition under the trees. A generous addition of humus matter and plant food should be worked into the soil to the depth of a foot or more. The number of holes needed is de- termined by the quantity of fertilizer to be applied. The amount per hole should be one-half to one pound (About a pint of Turf Builder). Thus a tree needing 30 pounds should have at least thirty holes. After the fertilizer is put in the holes, replace dirt, tamping it well, then replace sod plugs. It is then a good idea to take the spreader and give the lawn a general feeding of Turf Builder. This will hasten rooting of the sod and the re- pair of any turf injury. An investment safeguarded if be dividends amount expert of plant advice before feeding in trees and shrubs and made to pay supplied food. a with It's better can extra generous to get evergreens. Spotted growth of grass sometimes from improper unduly sults stimulated placed top of the hole is not firmed above deeply feeding. Grass is if enough to in a heavy rain H the fertilizer or floats it fertilizer. the re- is not the soil or feeding scatter When plantings, the bed or work depth of two or three two handsful within feet spring and again mum it into the soil mulch shrubs the Turf Builder foundation over to a inches. Use one or two the Feed early in the fall to assure maxi- radius shrubs of each foliage of in stock. color. Sirs: The tree was set out in front of my home two years ago. It didn't die — that is the most that could be said for it. But when I put the Turf Builder around it as shown in it was only a short time Lawn Care 69, until my neighbors were asking, "What have you done to your tree?" Huntingdon, Tenn. MRS. LINNIE M CARTER Sirs: Here to is is how I solved the problem of keeping good turf on traffic spots, wash areas under trees, terraces, spots killed by dogs, etc. For years these places have really tried my patience. In spite of my best ef- forts, care, etc., I was unable to correct these blemishes in the lawn. the My solution problem now to plug in good turf. To get the turf for this patching, I have a "turf nursery" at the back of lawn which is stripped out as turf is needed. As the sod is removed I fill in the areas with good topsoil, plant is ready for use. it Naturally, it's seeded with Scotts, fed Turf Builder and mowed just like the balance of the lawn. year the To repair traffic damage areas, the old sod is removed and the soil worked up to a depth of several inches. The nursery sod is stripped out to not less than 3 inches so as to insure plenty of root growth. Soil should be moist when transplanting is done. Less shock occurs to the grass too, if a is made normal feeding of Turf Builder and well watered. Be sure joints are close so as to eliminate cracks. A light top dressing of sandy loam will also help to fill these joints. Marion, Ohio Sirs: PERRY BACHELDER My Spreader did not have the man at- tached when received. Can you forward him (any size, shape or color) under sep- arate cover? Seriously—how about an issue of LAWN CARE devoted to ladies who garden with- out help of the so-called "stronger sex"? Takoma Park 12, Md. MRS. VINCENT P. GOMEZ €| After one trial we believe Mrs Gomez will find the Spreader so easy running that she wouldn't want to be bothered having the man around.—ED. Sirs: It is very helpful Thank you very much for your LAWN CARE. indeed. Your Turf Builder is the best and cheapest. My trees stay grass stays green brighter and with more leaves than any other trees I know. My trees were still with leaves last December 4. I'll admit we did have a long fall, but still Scotts is the best. Gary, LEON PIETRZAK longer, my Indiana Turf Builder Never Out Of Season Last Year LAWN CARE reported on how at least one reader applied Turf Builder to make a non-skid surface on his ice-covered walks and drives. An- other winter has since intervened and more reports are in. As with most ideas, the use of Turf Builder on slip- pery walks has good and bad features. Some wives complained about the stuff being tracked it's no worse than sand but salt is less a villain in that respect. in. Probably Salt, however, is an enemy of grass. Where a lot of salt is used and it gets over on the lawn, it will kill the grass. In extreme cases the soil is sterilized. In contrast, the secondary effect of Turf Builder is helpful to the lawn and not harmful to concrete work. injured edge of Lawn areas adjacent to driveways often This may happen the visible. stalled intervals are in the winter by car wheels. because plainly fore- foot Some of this damage may be short stakes at five by setting to mark the edge of the the driveway falls is not after snow drive. Late Fall Lawn Program Weed Control. If other than grass weeds are evident lawn, they should be cleared out with an application of 4 - XD or Weed & Feed. The lawn will look better and the grass thrive better if the competi- tion of broad-leaved weeds is curtailed. in the fall Nothing is gained in the application of controls to Crabgrass after this pest has matured and dropped its seeds. The old plants will be killed by frost but the damage from self-seeding will have been done. Feeding. Grass receives extra benefit from a fall feeding of Turf Builder, so if that has not been done, an application should be made promptly. Seeding. Nature sets the example of fall seeding. The seeds fall on warm soil and germination is usually good because of longer and cooler nights, heavier dews and usually more favorable rains. in The last statement has to be hedged be- cause of the recollection of last year's dry fall the midwest and south. General rains did not come until well into October so a lot of germination was delayed and spotty. By and large, fall seeding will produce a better stand of grass with less seed needed than for a spring planting. This applies to the seeding of brand new lawns as well as where a thickening up is needed. Maintenance. Rather short cutting is the ad- vice lawn areas. One exception is under trees where large drops of water may drip from tree leaves and wash away the soil. Continue fall mowings as late as grass grows. fall season for most the for Remove leaves so they don't mat down and smother grass. A leaf sweeper or power grinder will save time and labor where there are a lot of leaves. Snow Mold. The this winter injury from in LAWN fungus disease was described CARE NO 118. Most lawns escape but where the bleached out patches have oc- curred in previous years, it may be a good idea to make preventative fungicidal treat- ments. SCUTL is suggested at normal rate in late November or early December—pref- erably before the first heavy snow. Liming. Late fall is a good time to have the soil tested to see if lime is needed. If it is, then the winter months afford a good time for lime applications. O M SCOTT & SONS C O. ( S c e t t i) M A R Y S V I L LE O H IO EVERY PACKAGE OF SCOTTS LAWN CARE PRODUCTS BEARS THIS TRADE - MARK AND IS SEALED FOR YOUR PROTECTION