FUNGUS GROWTH ON TREES 113 



by a system of constricting the stem and slow 

 strangulation the tree ceases to exist. In a 

 young state, when the tendrils of the ivy are 

 small, little harm may be done to its host, 

 but later on, when the evergreen foliage covers 

 the whole top and branches, the results become 

 serious. 



The honeysuckle or woodbine is even more 

 harmful to trees than the ivy, though the 

 shrub is much scarcer, comparatively speaking, 

 in our woods and plantations. By its twining 

 growth the expansion of the bark and ascent 

 of sap are interfered with, the outcome being 

 swollen bulges all along the circuitous route 

 taken by the climber. 



The traveller's joy or old man's beard 

 (clematis) occasionally damages and kills out 

 trees by twining around the stems ; while in 

 beds of osiers both the wild convolvulus and 

 hop give much trouble by their weight in 

 bending over the slender shoots in coppice 

 and willow brakes. 



In the case of woodbine, ivy, and clematis, 

 the only remedy is to remove the offending 



climbers, which may readily be done by simply 



8 



