38 TREE WOUNDS AND DISEASES 



later bound to come about. Connecting the 

 flat iron bands, already referred to, by means 

 of chains or strand wire is, however, not to be 

 objected to, nor is the method attended with 

 such ill effects as in the case when the chain 

 or wire is placed in direct contact with the 

 branch, for, even with the most careful adjust- 

 ing and packing, the uneven surface of a chain, 

 with its saw-like action during stormy weather, 

 soon renders the belting useless for the purpose 

 intended, and both bark and wood suffer in 

 consequence. 



Many examples of the injurious effects of 

 chaining tree limbs together could be pointed 

 out, though, fortunately, the practice is not 

 now so common as was the case in the past. 

 Occasionally we see holes bored through the 

 live branch or trunk in order to fix the bind- 

 ing rod or chain a most reprehensible practice 

 that, fortunately, has few supporters amongst 

 those who have even a cursory knowledge of 

 trees and their growth. It is, however, gener- 

 ally admitted that there are several disadvan- 

 tages connected with bracing trees with iron 

 rods that pass through holes bored in the 



