PRUNING SHADE TREES 143 



with low-hanging branches are far less effective than those 

 which show clean trunks to the proper height. The real 

 beauty of a tree-lined thoroughfare is lost if the branches 

 are so low as to shut off the vista of stately trunks and 

 graceful foliage. 



All wood which is either dead or dying should be 

 removed promptly. A tree that carries a heavy burden 



Proper method of pruning trees, 

 a. Tree before pruning, 

 b. Distance from trunk for first cutting, 

 c. Second cutting of limbs close to trunk and scars finished with mallet and chisel. 



of dead limbs loses vigor of growth, and has a ragged and 

 irregular development. Imperfect limbs, also, should be 

 removed. 



If a tree has not had the early advantages of pruning 

 during its years of development, even belated pruning 

 may be made to play an important part in giving it new 

 vigor and added beauty. Such trees are apt to have 

 branches which cross or interfere with one another. In 

 cases of this kind, removal of the branches that can best be 

 spared will strengthen and improve the others. On a 



