148 TREES AS GOOD CITIZENS 



be upon that part of the branch which is to be removed; if 

 applied to the part which is to remain, bruising and injury 

 will result. Some shears cut with a sliding motion of the 

 blade, resembling the motion of a knife, instead of with 

 the crushing movement of ordinary shears. The purpose 

 of this arrangement is to prevent injury to bark or 

 surface. 



A pole pruner is useful as the tree gains height. This is 

 mounted at the end of a pole 10 or 12 feet in length, 

 or longer as needed. The cutting is done by operating 

 the knife by means of a rope, while the workman stands 

 on the ground. A spring serves to bring the blade back 

 into position after a cut has been made, so that the blade 

 is ready for another cut. This implement is useful for 

 removing small branches and shoots. Of a similar nature 

 is the useful pruning hook, mounted near the end of a pole. 

 The curved cutting edge is on the under side of the hook, 

 and the implement is used by pulling this blade downward 

 over the branch or twig to be severed. At the end of the 

 pole is a chisel, to be used with upward stroke and pres- 

 sure. This chisel is convex, to prevent slipping. A 

 pruning saw on the edge of a pole is also useful. Great 

 care must be exercised in the use of the pole instruments 

 to avoid letting them strike limbs or trunk, as serious 

 wounds may result from such blows. 



For the removal of large limbs a pruning saw must be 

 used. Saws for this purpose have spreading teeth, to make 

 a wide cut. The ordinary saw makes a narrow groove, 

 and lets the green wood bind the blade to an extent which 

 makes sawing difficult. An ax should not be used for 

 pruning. 



