HARDWOOD RECORD 



37 



TREE SHOWING BADLY DAMAGED CAVITY. CLEANING OUT ROT AND FUNGUS GROWTH. 



FILLING THE CAVITY WITH CONCRETE. 



members, from which the tree cannot possibly obtain the slightest 

 nourishment. Ihe jiroper thing to do in such a case is to cut off 

 the dead roots entirely, just as a surgeon would amputate an 

 incurably diseased limb of a patient to forestall further spread 

 of the disease. If a particularly cohesive kind of blue clay te 

 then applied to the remainder of the severed members, new roots 

 will soon sprout and in time perform their part in absorbing 

 nourishment from the soil. 



In the case of a tree wound, it is imperative that the rotten 

 cavity be thoroughly cdeansed of the parasitic plant and insect 

 pests that alwaj's infest it. Sometimes the parasites are eradicated 

 by the application of acids, which suffocate them and destroy 

 their innuinerable and almost invisible spores, but it is the opinion 



of Dr. Johnson that the best method of extermination is to use 

 a chisel and chip away all the rotten wood found in the cavity. 

 The wound should then be well cauterized with a small gasolene 

 ilame, which acts as a disinfectant. It is extremely important 

 in performing this part of the operation that the flame be not 

 allowed to scorch any part of the live wood around the cavity. 



When the surface of the cavity has become perfectly dry, it 

 should be coated with white lead or asbestos paint. This covering 

 effectually seals the openings of the fibro-vascular bundles through 

 which the sap bubbled wastefully into the wound. Thus dammed, 

 this precious fluid is once more enabled to percolate throughout 

 the live portion of tree trunk, and not be wasted in filling an open 

 hole for the sustenance of insects and fungi. 



OPENING FILLED READY FOR BARK TO 

 HEAL WOUND. 



SECTION OP TREE SHOWING PERFECTLY 

 HEALED WOUND. 



TRIMMED MAIN ROOT PRODUCING MASS OF 

 SMALLER ROOTS. 



