﻿454 Scott: A Study of Pasture Trees and Shrubbery 



given pasture. The quantity of seed, the suitability of seed bed 

 and soil, together with other conditions of growth, are quite as 



The earliest form assumed by the haws as a direct result of the 

 browsing is that of an inverted cone. This particular shape seems 

 to result from the fact that when the tip of a branch is clipped off 

 three or four buds situated short distances below the wound usually 

 start to grow. These buds give rise to branches which elongate at 

 about equal rates, each spreading somewhat from the old axis. 

 Since the cattle trim all the axes which reach the surface and since 

 the branches have a general tendency to grow upwards the plant 

 assumes the form of an inverted cone. Gradually the lower 

 branches are forced downward by the constantly increasing number 

 of new axes formed so that a spheroidal shape may be assumed as 

 shown in Fig. 2. When the lower branches are forced parallel to 

 the ground the tree takes the form of an erect cone (Fig. 3). In 

 grazing the cattle rarely bite the new growth back quite to the 

 dead tips of the older branches, so that there is a gradual increase 

 in size. The conical shape is maintained until the tree is of such a 

 diameter that the center or apex is no longer reached by the cattle. 

 The shoots which are now put out at the apex are free to grow 

 without molestation. The exact duration of the cone stage 

 depends upon the severity of the punishment to which the trees 

 are subjected. In some pastures where the grazing is not severe 

 there may be few or no cones found. In others which are pastured 

 very closely practically all of the haws and apples present are in 

 this condition or show distinct evidence of having passed through 

 it. Under such conditions the plant may be compelled to remain 

 in the cone stage for many years. 



When the cattle are no longer able to reach the apex of the cone 

 one or more axes quickly spring out so that we find a closely crop- 

 ped cone with a loose clump of shoots projecting at its apex. This 

 stage is shown in Fig. 4. In spite of the constant cropping of all 

 new growth within the reach of the cattle, this protected clump 

 rapidly increases both in height and diameter. But since above 

 the reach of the cattle it is free to expand and an hour-glass shape 

 soon results (Fig. 5). Trees in various stages are shown in Fig. 6. 



