117 

 640.-PRUNING TREES. 



BIS heading covers a large subject, but it i> proposed to 



confine our remarks in this instance to the pruning of 



Pasture and Street trees, sometimes called " lopping." It 



should be understood however, that methods of pruning differ in 



accordance with the object to be attained. 



In the Forest the object is to secure straight clean steins. The 

 rule in the Pasture is to secure large trees with spreading branches 

 which afford shade. In fruit trees form and shape is in a certain 

 degree sacrificed to productiveness, while, in pruning ornamental 

 trees the health of the tree is sometimes sacrificed to suit the fancy of 

 owners or growers who may wish them to appear in some particular 

 form or shape. 



The close observation of a natural Forest shows how Nature 

 prunes to enable trees of certain classes or kind to reach conditions of 

 light and air conducive to their continuance in health. Wherever 

 trees or shrubs are planted close together, there is sure to be found 

 a tendency in them to become tall and little branched owing to the 

 side branches dropping off from want of light and air, while if 

 planted wide apart where the branches have room to develop ; the 

 tree beeomes umbrageous or spreading. This is due mainly to the 

 endeavour of the plant to seek light and air, in order that the leaves 

 may be able to manufacture the material for plant growth. 



In pruning away the large branches from street trees, it is 

 necessary to observe great care. 



The following tools are necessary : 



1st — A " wide set " hand saw, well sharpened. 



2nd — A coil of strong rope. 



3rd — A ladder of sufficient length. 



4th — A well sharpened axe. 



5th — A cutlass. 



6th — A pot of Coal tar and brush. 



7th — A broad chisel. 



When it is determiued to cut off* a large limb, the first thing to 

 be done is to lighten the weight of same by trimming off its smaller 

 branches and leaves, and then to secure it by fastening the rope about 

 midway of its length so that it will balance when cut, the free end of 

 the rope should be passed over a crutch of a higher and stronger 

 branch and thence to the ground, where it should be secured by a 

 workman around the base of any other tree, so as to enable him to 

 take the weight of the branch as it is severed from the trunk. The 

 branch should then be cut with the saw or axe some two or three 

 feet from the point at which it is desired to remove it leaving a stump 

 some two or three feet long. The object of this is to prevent the 

 tearing or stripping of the bark, which would otherwise take place, 

 when the weight of the branch causes it to fall. Supported by the 

 rope, the only stripping which will occur will be on the two foot 

 stump, but as this is eventually to be removed, it will not matter. 

 When the branch is cut through and lowered gently to the ground, 



