PRUNING RESERVE TREES. 



39 



young tree 

 r 



perpendicular, it should be cut off and a vigorous 

 branch taken up to supply its place. This should 

 be fastened in an upright position 

 to the base of the original leader, 

 and if some small branches can be 

 left on this they may be used as 

 withes to hold the new leader in place 

 (Fig. 31). 



If the young tree is not strong enough 

 to stand alone, it must be supported 

 by means of a forked stick placed 

 against the side to which it inclines F '>- 3 1- Method 



of forming a leader 



(Fig. 32), a cushion of moss or straw n 



being used to prevent the bark from 



chafing against the support. It would be better to 



permanently stake and tie all such feeble young trees, 



but in a large plantation this is not prac- 



ticable. 



When coppice is allowed to grow for 

 twenty years or more, the young re- 

 serve tree is less difficult to manage, has 

 fewer unfavorable conditions to contend 

 against, and has at least gained the ad- 

 vantage of sufficient strength to support 

 a ladder ; one of the upright upper 

 branches can, if necessary, be used to 

 form a leader ; branches either too long of propping up 

 or growing in the wrong direction young trw> - 

 should be shortened or removed to give to the head 

 the elongated shape required to prevent the 



