250 ON PRUNING TIMBER TREES. 



in thickness as the mam stem increases, and in the same manner, 

 namely, by the adding each year of a layer of wood all round. 

 It does not therefore commence at the surface of the tree, but 

 in the interior, and each year increase in diameter. The sooner, 

 therefore, that this branch is removed, the less will be the twisting 

 of the main stem at this part. 



As in the practice of pruning there are two distinct purposes to 

 be aimed at ; first, giving the vertical tendency to the tree ; and, 

 second, obtaining as great a portion as possible of clean stem ; 

 bo there are two periods in the growth of the tree at which these 

 objects are to be attended to. The first in the order of time, is 

 giving the vertical tendency to the tree, and the second, the de- 

 nuding it of its lower branches. 



Until the tree has attained the height of fifteen or sixteen feet, 

 the only object that need to be attended to is to give it the up- 

 right tendency in question, and to prevent its becoming forked. 



The pruning for this purpose consists in merely shortening 

 such branches as may be rivalling the leading shoot, or stretch- 

 ing out laterally with a growth disproportioned to that of the 

 others. Frequently the mere nipping off of the terminal bud will 

 be completely effected by shortening the shoot, making it about 

 half the length of the shoot above ; this is the sole purpose of 

 pruning during the first period of the growth of the tree ; and it 

 is to be observed, that if a tree be of itself tending to grow up- 

 right and without forking, no pruning, even of this simple kind, 

 is required. For of all pruning it is observed, that it is a vio- 

 lence done to the plant, and is to be avoided as much as possi- 

 ble. By cutting off branches and leaves, we cut off organs of 

 nutrition. We do not prune that we may increase the quantity of 

 wood, for the operation has quite a different tendency and effect ; 

 but we prune that we may give to the tree that form which is 

 calculated to produce the greatest quantity of timber in the pro- 

 per place. 



The other branch of pruning, and next in the order of time, 

 consists in denuding the lower part of the trunk of branches, so 

 that there may be obtained a sufficient extent of clean wood. 

 Although, for the reasons given, it is important that the taking 

 off these branches be at as early period as possible, yet this must 

 be done always under the conditions necessary to preserve the 

 health of the tree. The tree should, in the first place, have at- 

 tained sufficient strength and age to bear the being deprived of 



