So you want to plant a tree....

It's that time of year again. Spring. Time for the crack of a bat against a baseball, for the smell of freshly cut flowers, for the dreaded spring cleaning that comes only once a year. But for many American Forests readers, spring means one more thing: tree planting. And what more fitting way to ring in the last year of the 20th century? If you're looking to put off your spring chores for an hour or two, pick up a shovel and dig in. Here's an activity that's easy, fun for all ages, and plants memories for a lifetime.

Don't know where to begin? We've asked nurserymen, gardeners, foresters, and just plain tree-lovers across the country to list trees they wish would be planted more often - and some they'd like to see a few less of. Follow our four easy steps to plant a tree and you're on y out, way. So grab a shovel and join the fun.

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WHO ARE THE EXPERTS?

Jennifer Milbrandt, who suggested trees for the Midwest, is a laboratory supervisor at the Davey Tree Expert Company in Kent, Ohio.

Richard J. Henkel of Princeton Horticultural Services, Inc., in Princeton, New Jersey, helped with the list of trees to plant more of in the Northeast. He says he's not an "expert assistant" but "just another person who likes plants."

Also listing trees for the Northeast was Clyde Hunt, a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Forest Service. "I also suggest people insist on planting these species even if they aren't available from their local garden center," Hunt says. "If good nurserymen can't sell these better species, they may not continue to grow them. If we accept junk trees, that's what nurseries will grow!"

Bob Skiera, author of the North list, retired as urban forester for the "great and fantastic" city of Milwaukee and now works as a consultant. He says, "When placed in the right setting, [the trees on my list] will give the planter a rewarding, long-lived performance of beauty, color, and shade."

AMERICAN FORESTS' own Jeff Meyer, head of the Famous & Historic Tree program, scripted the southern tree list as well as the wry commentary on its less favored list.

Northern California urban forester Bruce Hagen and Southern California urban forester Linda Romero, both from the state's Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, suggested California trees.

Our Pacific Northwest list came from a group at the resource management division of the Bellevue Parks and Community Service Department, including, natural resource manager Dan DeWald, forester Stacey Good, and senior landscape architeCt Shane DeWald from the City of Seattle Transportation Department. They request forgiveness for getting "a little harsh with the monkey puzzle tree."

4 STEPS TO PLANT A TREE

1. Find a good site, with room above and below ground for the tree to grow. Loosen the dirt in an area 3 to 5 times the diameter of the root ball and about 12 inches deep. Loose dirt makes it easy for roots to grow.

2. Dig a hole in the middle so the root ball lists on solid ground, keeping the upper edge level with the ground. Backfill around the roots, but don't pack tightly.

3. Water immediately and every week thereafter and weed regularly. Young trees don't need fertilizer their first year. Then add 2 to 4 inches of mulch.

4. Count your tree on AMERICAN FOREST' web site: www.americanforest.org.