SHADE TREES AND FORESTS 



481 



off a branch two things should be kept in mind ; first, to 

 cut in such a way that the branch will not split off a piece 

 from the main stem ; and second, to leave the wound favor- 

 able for healing. To prevent splitting, the limb should first 

 be sawed half way through from the under side about six 

 inches from the main stem, and then cut halfway through 

 from the upper side about seven inches from the main stem. 



FIG. 189. The wrong way to cut 

 off a branch. 



FIG. 190. The right way to cut 

 off a branch. 



This allows the branch to drop off. The remaining stub 

 should then be cut off. This final cut should be made paral- 

 lel to the main stem and close to it, instead of at right angles 

 to the branch that is being cut, as is so often done. 



If a stub is left it hinders the healing of the wound and 

 offers opportunity for disease spores to enter. These 

 spores grow and there forms a branching root-like mass 

 which absorbs food from the tree and thus injures it. The 

 large fruiting bodies of these fungi are often seen projecting 

 2i 



