PRUNING CONIFERS 153 



PRUNING TREES. 1 



It has already been stated that if mixtures of trees have 

 been made with due care and if thinnings have been properly 

 conducted, that the pruning of trees should hardly ever be 

 necessary. However, there will always be exceptions, and 

 young standards growing over coppice will usually require 

 some attention. 



(1) The Pruning of Green Branches. 



In the case of conifers an almost invariable rule should 

 be observed : namely, " never prune a green branch." One 

 great reason is that the danger from insect and fungoid 

 attacks is so very much increased by such an operation. 

 The exudation of turpentine is, to some extent, a safeguard 

 against fungoid attacks, but usually this exudation is so 

 great that the healing of the wound is retarded. On the 

 other hand, many injurious insects are attracted by the 

 smell of turpentine exuding from a freshly cut surface. 



However, there is one great exception to this rule, and 

 that is in the case of Douglas Fir. This tree, if pruned, heals 

 very rapidly and in a striking manner ; for broad annual rings 

 of new bark quickly occlude the wound, in a manner which is 

 peculiar to this tree alone. 



It would not, however, be wise to prune Douglar Fir until 

 it is 10 to 12 years of age, on account of the danger of the 

 Pine weevil. 



As regards the other Conifers, if any pruning be done, it 

 is less objectionable in the case of Silver Fir than in that of 

 any of the rest of them. It is, however, necessary to cut 

 away any double leader, whether on coniferous trees or not, 

 which may be found in young plantations. 



In the case of trees other than conifers, the pruning of 



green branches is not attended with such risks, and is 



indeed often desirable. Young hardwood trees growing as 



" standards " over coppice will usually require pruning and 



1 See also " Nursery Work," Chapter HI. 



