recently removed Trees. 44.7 



it to be inferior in many respects to that which I have more 

 recently adopted. This latter, I apprehend, will defy the 

 critic ; but I readily admit that a peevish disposition may ex- 

 perience some gratification in finding fault with that which I 

 am now about to describe, viz. " the method of propping 

 trees, by obvious supports above ground." 



I shall be more readily understood, and in fewer words, by 

 detailing first the theory or plan, assuming the practicability 

 of the work ; and giving, in the second place, directions as to 

 its execution. 



Let the tree be considered in the centre of the circle at 

 80 ^^- ., ^1 J'g' 80. Let it be sup- 



posed practicable to affix a 

 spar sufficiently strong and 

 inflexible to the tree at a, at 

 a convenient height (say 2 ft. 

 or 3 ft. above the surface), and 

 its other end to an immovable 

 stake B : it would evidently 

 maintain the tree against any 

 impulse coming either from 

 A to B or from b to a. 



For convenience, let us as- 

 sume the points of the com- 

 pass, and call this east and west. Again, if a similar spar were 

 also affixed to the tree at a, and its other end to a similar 

 immovable stake at c, these lines being perfectly at r'lcAxt 

 angles, the tree would now be also unassailable in the direc- 

 tions from south to north, and from north to south, and, con- 

 sequently, in every other direction, or from every point of the 

 compass ; for, from whatever diagonal direction the wind 

 might blow, both props would yield support. 



Caution. The efficiency of the plan depends upon the 

 accuracy of the angle. Include an arc of more than 90°, 

 as bad, and any impulse in the direction a c or c a will 

 upset the tree. Include less than 90°, as cad, and the 

 same untoward result will occur whenever the wind shall blow 

 at right angles, or nearly so, to either of the lines a c or 

 a d. 



The practicability or execution of the work is now to be 

 considered. 



The experienced operator will at once perceive that the 

 principal difficulty will occur in obtaining the requisite hold 

 of the tree without injuring the bark. 



In some cases this may be a valid objection ; but, in prac- 

 tice, I have generally been able to surmount it. Indeed, in a 



