SHADE TREES. 



CARE OF WOUNDS. 



Every break in the 

 bark of a tree should be 

 treated with an anti- 

 septic to prevent the en- 

 trance of decay. But 

 this rule is commonly 

 ignored in so far as 

 clean cut wounds, not 

 over two inches in di- 

 ameter, made in the live 

 wood of a healthy tree, 

 are concerned. But 



every pruning wound of 



Fig. 21. Four branch wounds with good cal- . . , 



luses but each showing a cavity, the larger Size must be 



treated else decay may 

 set in before it can heal 

 over. (Figs. 21 and 22.) 

 The treatment consists simply in painting the exposed 

 wood with coal tar, creosote, or lead paint. The first is usu- 

 ally preferred. Thin the tar by heating it if 

 necessary and apply with a brush, being care- 

 ful not to cover the cambium, or tissue between the wood and 

 bark. Give two good coats and repeat every year or two until 

 the wound is completely healed. 

 Wounds due to mechan- 

 or animal 

 have all 



the injured wood and bark 

 removed with a knife or 

 gouge and then be treated 

 as directed above. (See 

 Fig. 20.) If the bark is 

 merely scraped but not 



result of long stubs and lack of 



treatment to prevent decay. 



See Fig. 22. 



Tar all 

 wounds. 



ical abrasion 

 gnawing should 



broken through, let it alone 

 and see that it "does not 

 happen again." 



ig. 22. A group of branch wounds 



perfectly healed, no filling needed 



as stubs were cut short and 



wood was sound. 



See Fig. 21. 



