72 TREE WOUNDS AND DISEASES 



where the branch was removed. In such 

 cases the wound, until it is quite hidden by 

 the new growth, should be examined periodi- 

 cally say, every third year and the exposed 

 surface cleaned and the paint or tar renewed. 



With the horse-chestnut and some other trees 

 the wounded surface is apt to crack and re- 

 quires careful attention in filling and tarring. 

 When the wound is small say, under six inches 

 in diameter healing is, in the case of healthy 

 trees, rapid and continuous ; but where a large 

 surface of wood has been exposed in pruning, 

 eight or ten years may elapse before it becomes 

 covered by the new wood. In such cases, rot 

 and disease can only be averted by periodical 

 treatment in the way of cleaning and painting 

 the exposed surface. But, indeed, in all cases, 

 tree wounds will amply repay, by quick and 

 satisfactory healing, the labour entailed by a 

 triennial examination and doctoring. 



