34 TREE WOUNDS AND DISEASES. 



" Pitt " oaks, already referred to, in both of 

 which cases the far-spreading branches were 

 unusually heavy and diseased, were of the 

 following dimensions : bands, 2^ to 3 inches 

 wide and J inch thick ; connecting rods, inch 

 to J inch diameter. Incidentally it may be 

 mentioned that 360 Ibs. weight of iron were 

 used in bracing the " Wilberforce " oak. 



Both trees were perfectly hollow-stemmed, 

 with heavy upright and horizontally spreading 

 branches ; and, as the writer had the work of 

 repairs carried out twenty-six years ago, the 

 results speak for themselves. A thorough 

 examination of these oaks was made during 

 the summer of 1915, when it was found that 

 the iron bands and connecting rods were in 

 perfect condition ; and though the trees are 

 standing in a somewhat exposed situation, 

 overlooking the vale of Keston, not a branch 

 has been broken, nor have the bands done 

 injury either to the bark or timber, and that 

 after having been in use for a little over 

 a quarter of a century, thus clearly demon- 

 strating that properly made and adjusted bands 

 and connecting rods are preferable to any 



