For March, 1921 



509 



Ornamental Tree Pruning an Art 



THERE are few ornamental trees or shrubs that do 

 not require occasional pruning or trimming at one 

 season or another for their best growth and de- 

 veloijnient. The extent of this, with certain exceptions. 



able pruning "is often needed the tirst few years after 

 planting, on account of excessive growth induced through 

 climatic conditions, cultivation, enriched soil or extra 



water supplv. 



This tree, an English zvhite oak on the estate of Mrs. Sidney Webster, Newport. 

 R. I., broke doum some years back in a high ■a.ind storm about eight feet from the 

 ground, its several limbs spreading out in different directions as shouii. These 

 limbs upon instructions from the gardener ivcre supported by iron arms and the 

 branches zcerc pruned back to form the shrub- 

 like looking speciment shown in the picture. 

 At the time I had this picture taken the acorns 

 were oh this tree in abundance. It is still 

 possible by treating the decayed parts to pre- 

 serve this wonderful specimen tree. Arthur 

 M. Horn. 



however, is often quite limited, and in 

 this respect ornamental plants differ from 

 fruit trees. Pruning is usually given 

 too little attention by the amateur planter 

 and homemaker. with the result that the 

 task is put oft' as long as possible to be 

 finally disposed of with little or no fore- 

 thought and regardless of results. 



All newly set trees should have their 

 branches cut back to correspond with the 

 loss of roots incident to transplanting, 

 though this does not mean that such 

 trees are to be reduced to poles. At 

 planting time all mutilated parts of roots 

 should be removed, and if the trees are 

 of considerable size. i. c, eight feet oi 

 so high, the main limbs should be put 

 back to within twelve or fourteen inches 

 of the trunk, the leader being retained. 



A sufficient number of branches, vary- 

 ing with the kind of tree, is left to form 

 the framework of the crown. These 

 should be disposed at nearly equal angles 

 about the trtmk and not lie in the same 

 horizontal plane. If handled in this 

 manner, such trees as the ash, locust, 

 mulbern.'. cottonwood and sycamore will 

 need little further attention for some 

 years and will usually develop into pleas- 

 ing, symmetrical forms. 



\Mien small trees are used, consider- 



This growth commonly manifests itself 

 in water sprouts, overdevelopment of the 

 head causing top-heaviness and leaning, 

 or in extra growth in occasional vigorous 

 branches in one part of the plant or an- 

 other, all of which tend to destroy the 

 otherwise natural form of symmetry of 

 the tree, unles^ corrected by careful 

 pruning. 



The much-planted and justly popular 

 pepper tree is a notable example of the 

 above, due partly to its soft, yielding 

 wood. On this account, during its first 

 years, cutting back and thinning out of 

 the crown are necessary, in addition, to 

 secure bracing of the trunk. 



It is justifiable at times to resort to 

 topping in the case of shade trees to in- 

 duce a denser growth, or where trees 

 have become too tall to be in harmony 

 with their surroundings. Such pruning, 

 however, should be done with delibera- 

 tion as to effects desired. Dead or un- 

 healthy branches or those broken by 

 storms should be removed speedily, and 

 if necessary the remaining top or crown 



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to be perfectly safe for, as will be seen, very little decay is noticeable. In this 

 tree as in all V shape crotch trees, it is necessary to support the crotch against 

 high winds and side strains, by the use of cables and bracing. These braces are 

 most important : and should not be inserted in any slip-shod usjy, otherzcise more 

 dnmage than good ti.-ill be the result. A man skilled in the icork will insert tliese 

 cables and braces in quick order, and at the same time, insure the natural sway 

 of the limbs, and the proper Hoiv of sap and the heeling over of any woods. The 

 picture sho-uii plainly denotes a beautiful specimen tree with one side entirely 

 ruined. Arthur M. Horn. 



