MAKING THE WOUND 115 



discussion of pruning tools (see Chap. V.), it may 

 nevertheless be said that for the severing of large 

 limbs no tool leaves a better wound than a sharp 

 saw. If the wound is not torn or split by the 



94. How to prevent the 

 splitting of the wound. 



weight of the limb, it will not be necessary to 

 smooth the cut with a knife, as some persons 

 recommend. Chisels leave good wounds, although 

 they are likely to split the wound near its upper 

 side when they are operated from the ground 

 with a mallet. It is surprising how careless 

 many people are in the making of wounds on 

 trees. Axes and hatchets are often brought into 

 requisition, and the operator goes at his work as 

 he would at a stick of timber. Leonard Coates' 

 remark will apply to more states than one : " Many 

 pruners in California have mistaken their voca- 

 tion: they are carpenters." 



