288 On the Planting of Forest-Trees > 



It IS presumed, however, that a due consideration of the nature 

 of the organs of trees and the functions they perform will be 

 sufficient to prove that both these views are almost equally 

 erroneous. 



If a considerable portion of the roots of a tree be cut away, the 

 consequence of that curtailment is a partial or imperfect develop- 

 ment of the leaves in the ensuing spring : on the other hand, if 

 a large portion of the branches be removed, the tree is observed 

 to make considerably less progress in the following summer. In 

 either case the stem will not increase so much in size as it would 

 otherwise have done. These are v^^ell-known facts ; and from 

 what has been stated of the uses of the different organs of a tree, 

 such consequences must necessarily result. In the first instance, 

 there w^as a deficient supply of ascending sap, owing to the loss of 

 roots and fibres; and, in the second, less sap was elaborated, 

 owing to the diminished number of leaves, and consequently less 

 wood produced. If the whole of the branches be removed, most 

 trees die ; and the same effect follows if the whole of the roots be 

 cut off; and though some trees will put forth fresh roots and de- 

 velop new buds and shoots, the growth of the stem is so much 

 retarded as to become scarcely perceptible, and will make but 

 little progress until the new roots and branches are considerably 

 extended. 



If a tree be planted in an open but sheltered spot, and in a 

 favourable soil, it will, in the unrestricted progress of its growth, 

 assume all its natural proportions of roots, stem, branches, and 

 leaves ; and, considering the means by which its increase is 

 effected — that is, the reciprocal action of its roots and leaves — it 

 is impossible that any interference on the part of man, in the way 

 of pruning or cutting off part of its branches, can have the effect 

 of accelerating its progress ; but, on the contrary, it must be evi- 

 dent that any such interference will have the contrary effect. 

 Every branch contributes to swell and increase that part of the 

 trunk beneath it, and serves also to extend the roots, by which 

 more sap is supplied, and the increase continued. Accordingly, 

 in tracing the stem from the top downwards, w^e observe that its 

 dimensions are enlarged at the junction of each individual branch, 

 and in proportion to the size of the branch ; thus producing that 

 general tapering form which trees exhibit. If another tree, of the 

 same kind, and in all respects having the same advantages, be 

 subjected to the management of the pruner, whether he adopt the 

 ignorant and absurd plan above alluded to, of removing all the 

 large branches in every part of the tree, or the more moderate 

 and rational method of gradually taking off the under branches 

 as the tree aspires, it must be most evident that the increase of 

 the stem must be retarded, and that in proportion to the extent 



