HOLLOW TRUNKS 17 



cement in order to effectually shut out damp- 

 ness. Asphalt has of late years been employed 

 in the rilling of hollow stems, and on account 

 of its elasticity and lasting properties is to be 

 recommended. 



Sometimes the interior of a large, hollow 

 tree stem is strengthened by cross-beams of 

 timber, any holes which extend to the outside 

 being carefully covered with sheet lead or zinc 

 so as to prevent the ingress of water. A sheet 

 of lead or zinc is, however, only a superficial 

 remedy, and should be dispensed with where 

 filling the cavity is at all practicable. Lead in 

 some cases is preferable to zinc for covering 

 wounds in trees, as it fits into position more 

 readily and is easily fixed. It has, however, 

 the disadvantage of tempting the thief. 



Both for the sake of appearance and for the 

 health of the tree, broken and diseased branches 

 should be attended to with as little delay as 

 possible, the main point being to prevent water 

 lodging in the wound and so setting up disease. 

 This is especially necessary when the branch 

 has been broken close to the main stem or one 



of the heavy limbs, and when in all likelihood, 



2 



