MANAGEMENT OF DECAYING TREES 3 



will go far in restoring the time-honoured 

 specimen to its wonted vigour ; while the 

 removal by drainage of excessive moisture 

 has a most beneficial effect on the health of 

 the majority of our woodland trees. 



The preservation of venerable tree growth 

 is surely a duty that is incumbent on all owners 

 of estates or custodians of our public parks 

 and gardens. Of late years in particular, our 

 ruined castles and ecclesiastical buildings have 

 received much attention in the matter of pre- 

 venting them falling into decay or being 

 carried away piecemeal for the erection of 

 farm walls and buildings. It is equally if 

 not more desirable that our old and historic 

 trees should be well cared for, whether by 

 root-feeding, stem-protecting, or sheltering 

 from inclement weather the hollow, decaying 

 trunks of remarkable specimens. When the 

 bark and portions of the wood are alive, it is 

 quite possible by judicious management to 

 throw fresh vigour into some of these old 

 denizens of the forest, and thus render them 

 objects of interest for a prolonged period of 

 time. 



