324 The yottrnal of Forestry. 



discover that amongst coppice standards there is a far greater propor- 

 tion of unsoimd and stag-headed timber than is to he found among 

 the produce of forests and our hedgerows. No sooner is a clear- 

 ance of the adjoining timber made than upon the trunks of nearly 

 every such standard a plentiful crop of side branches spring into life ; 

 the flow of the sap to the head of the tree is arrested, and decay of the 

 crown sets in, resulting in stag-headedness and rot. The top branches 

 dying off, unsoundness of crown follows ; the water percolates through 

 the trunk, and often makes its way to the very roots. A timely 

 removal of these branches during the second year of their existence, 

 by a clean cut close to the stem, will generally save the tree. It 

 should be borne in mind that these epidermic branches only rob the 

 crown of its sap, and do not in any way add to the bulk of the tree's 

 foliage, or to its permanent enlargement. 



The close study of a well-grown and flourishing tree shows that — 

 beginning at the top — the junction of each branch with the mi in stem 

 is attended by an increased bulk of trunk, proportioned to the 

 size of the inserted branch and the amount of foliage it bears. Such 

 being the case, the removal of every branch, except in cases of great 

 overcrowding or very dense growth, must^seriously impede the general 

 growth of the tree, and should be undertaken only when absolutely 

 necessary. Any branch which causes a powerful diversion from 

 the uprightness of the main stem should unhesitatingly be taken 

 away. A rival leader should also be cut clean out. "Where it becomes 

 necessary to remove a branch close to the trunk, a clean section should 

 invariably bo made. However, it will often be advisable to lighten a 

 primary branch by the removal of part or nearly the whole of its 

 secondaries. No branch with a greater diameter than 3| or 4 inches 

 should ever be cut off close to the stem, unless the tree itself is 

 intended soon to come down. Larger ones should be taken off at a 

 distance of t\AO feet from the trunk, and in such a manner as to leave 

 near the extremity of the stump a growing branch of not less than an 

 inch in diameter. Extension of decay to the trunk is thus arrested. 



Yvhere heavy pruning of trees is resorted to, it is better to extend 

 the operation over two or three years, as in such cases the crop of 

 epidermic branches is much less abundant, the checking of the flow 

 of sap to the head being more gradual. 



From Midsummer to November is the best time for pruning de- 

 cid<ious trees. Winter pruning is generally followed by a plentiful 

 crop of side branches ; and spring pruning causes unnecessary bleed- 

 ing. A judicious and timely pruning will often prevent accidents 

 from winds and other causes. Still the fact should never be lost sight 

 of that every branch not only increases the size of the trunk, but also 

 promotes tlie formation and development of roots. 



