184 TREE WOUNDS AND DISEASES 



incipient decay, as appeared by the dead and 

 dying heads, have recovered their former 

 vigour. Spanish chestnut, oak, and lime 

 over two centuries old have also responded 

 quickly to top-dressing and pruning, after 

 having been allowed to remain unattended for 

 a number of years ; and although now lacking 

 their original wide-spreading branches, they 

 have by the treatment been saved from pre- 

 mature decline. Coniferous trees such as the 

 Lebanon cedar and various species of cypress 

 take kindly to a liberal top-dressing when 

 growing in poor, thin soils. 



