cutting off the ends of the branches not only destroys the 

 beauty of the tree but positively shortens its life and invites 

 early decay. If your trees are growing taller than you de- 

 sire, it is because the trees are too close. Mature trees should 

 not stand closer than 30 feet and if they are planted closer 

 they should be thinned when the ends of the branches begin 

 to touch the tree next to it. 



It is rarely a shade tree grows too thick and it is safer to 

 trust to nature to do the thinning than to one who is not an 

 expert in doing this kind of work. 



Along the farmers' fences throughout the state the birds, 

 squirrels and the wind have planted trees. Many are planted 

 by these agents, but few are permitted to stand. The species, 

 most commonly found are walnut, wild cherry, ash, maple 

 and elm. 



Most of these, if cared for, would grow into valuable trees, 

 but as generally found they show that they have been 

 browsed, pruned with an ax or not at all, and with a trunk 

 too short to make a twelve-foot log. Tall trees are more val- 

 uable and it costs less to grow them along the fence. They 

 should be pruned up and not be permitted to form a fork 

 until the height of a good length sawlog is reached. When 

 the top of the tree is high the shade is so widely distributed 

 that it has little effect on the adjacent crop. 



Trees along the fences add beauty to the surroundings. 

 They attract our birds and often serve as a retreat from the 

 storm and birds of prey. 



The workman in the field welcomes them as a place where 

 he and his horses can enjoy their shade and cool breezes. 



Stock of all kinds in the field will seek the shelter offered 

 by a tree from the hot rays of the sun and from storms. It 

 is true that occasionally an animal is killed by lightning un- 

 der a tree, but during a storm animals first seek trees and if 

 there are none, they will huddle closely up against a fence, 

 and more animals are killed along fences than under trees. 



Some farmers purposely leave a few trees along the fence 

 in each field. This practice, as well as the planting of trees 

 along the roadside, is to be encouraged. 



31 



