42 TREE WOUNDS AND DISEASES 



limb to which they can be attached by means 

 of bands and connecting rods. Branches that 

 approach to near ground level, and to which 

 the public or farm stock have no access, may 

 be supported by means of wooden uprights, but 

 at best these look clumsy and out of place. 

 Where, however, it is the only means of 

 supporting unwieldy limbs, the work should 

 be carried out in as tidy and efficient a manner 

 as possible. The size of prop to be used will 

 depend on the weight of the branch requiring 

 support, but, generally speaking, a pole of from 

 8 to 10 inches diameter at top will be found 

 most suitable for this purpose. Yew, oak, 

 or any timber of well-known lasting qualities, 

 with little sapwood, and thoroughly seasoned, 

 makes the most efficient supports, and, for 

 appearance sake, and so as to be in keeping 

 with their surroundings, the bark should be 

 left intact. 



Forked props are sometimes used as supports, 

 but in. the majority of cases the crutch should 

 be dispensed with and a slight hollow grooved 

 out at the upper end of the pole, into which 

 the branch will fit. Packing material may be 



