3S2 SYLVA AMERICANA. 



necessity for pruning close to the stem, until the tree attain to 

 twenty feet in height, or even more than that, provided the stem 

 be clear of lateral branches from five to eight feet from the root. 

 When the lateral branches are regular and moderately large, the 

 smaller length of clear stem may be adopted, and where the 

 branches are larger towards the top, the greater space of close 

 pruning. Five years from the first close pruning will not be too 

 long before the second is performed ; one, or at most, two tire 

 of branches may then be displaced in like manner. The increase 

 of diameter of the stem, is the only certain test for deciding 

 whether the larger or smaller number of branches may be pruned 

 off to most advantage, or whether it may be prudent to take any 

 away from the stem until it attain greater strength and thickness. 

 By examining the trees of a plantation annually, the critical time 

 for pruning every branch for the best interest of the trees is 

 secured. Some trees may be pruned with great advantage 

 successively for years, while others may only require it every 

 three or five years, and others again not at all. 



It has been disputed whether resinous or non-reproductive 

 trees are benefitted by pruning ; but the value of judicious close 

 pruning to that tribe of trees cannot be doubted : at the same 

 time it is but too true that, in numerous instances, it has been 

 carried to a mischievous excess. Young firs and larch trees, 

 when deprived of their lateral branches, to within four or five 

 tire of shoots of the top, are frequently seriously injured by the 

 winds acting on the tuft of branches, which become as a lever 

 loosening the roots, and producing all the evils of a suddenly 

 checked growth, besides those of excessive bleeding or loss of 

 the resinous sap, and the want of the periodical supply of nour- 

 ishment to the stem afforded by these branches. At sixteen 

 years' growth, larches standing at four feet apart, will be 

 benefited by moderate pruning, that is, of two or three tire of 

 the lowermost branches, particularly should these appear to be 

 decreasing in their former vigor of growth ; and afterwards in 

 every third or fourth year, successively, the like treatment should 

 be adopted to these lowermost branches evincing a decline of 

 healthy growth. The same rule applies to the pine and the spruce ; 



