68 TREE WOUNDS AND DISEASES 



The only disadvantage, if such it can be 

 termed, is the reduction in height owing to 

 the removal of the upper branches ; but this is 

 more than compensated for by the improve- 

 ment both in health and appearance of the 

 trees that have been operated upon. 



In pollarding a tree, care is necessary to 

 preserve the natural outline; in fact, the finished 

 tree should be as nearly as possible a miniature 

 of the original. 



Occasionally the damage done by the break- 

 ing of a branch is serious alike to the health 

 of the tree and quality of timber. The wound 

 may have become entirely healed over, but 

 the decay of old standing have made steady 

 progress and eaten far down into the trunk of 

 the tree. This is by no means an uncommon 

 occurrence with trees that have been neglected 

 when a branch got broken over close to the 

 stem, and shows how necessary it is that all 

 injuries should be promptly attended to in 

 the matter of pruning and painting ; indeed, 

 the old saying, " A stitch in time saves nine," 

 applies forcibly to the treatment of damaged 

 trees. 



