Show RIGHT DEPTH FOR PLANTING character of f soil and climate should govern roots get started if planted in fall the character of the soil and the climate of a region should no doubt govern the depth to which the roots of a fruit tree should be set for mst most sections it it Is generally recommended that the roots be sk set a little deeper than they stood in the nursery very deep planting has been emphasized in the prairie states of the northwest where there is danger of root injury by severe winters deep planting Is iq also preferred in the plains where rainfall Is very limited and the ground becomes very dry in winter no doubt the roots should be set deeper in loose sandy soils than in heavier soils mot most missouri growers of long experience advocate setting a little deeper than the trees stood in the nursery many who have had limited experience iet i et their trees much deeper than this with the idea that the trees will stand straighter and firmer and that the roots are thus secured against dying out at the university of missouri college of agriculture shallow planting has given better results than deep planting this point has been tested repeatedly in different years and the results of deep and shallow planting have been observed in many orchards of the state the results indicate that a majority of the trees set in missouri are planted too deep deep set roots especially if spring planted start growth slowly the trees usually sway in the wind until a funnel shaped cavity Is formed in the moist soil about the base of the trunk borers enter the trunk below ground more readily where such a cavity Is formed than in shallow planted trees around which a dust mulch may be retained in close contact with the base of the trunk mice find shelter in the soil cavity about a deep set tree and often girdle it boot rot occurs much more frequently in trees set deep if trees are set in autumn they may be set an inch or of so deeper than they stood in the nursery the soil at this season Is aired end and warmed to a greater depth new root growth starts in early winter on oa the lower roots which become established for early spring growth if trees frees are transplanted in spring they should be set no deeper than they stood in the nursery if the soil Is heavy spring set trees should stand a little shallower than they stood in the nursery in the case of spring set trees new root growth starts first on the roots nearest the surface of the soil which Is better aired and which warms u up p first |