120 



PRINCIPLES OF AMERICAN FORESTRY. 



their branches removed from the trunks to their final 

 height, are likely to make too much growth at the top 

 for the trunk to support well in high winds. A better 

 way is to remove a part of the lower branches and shorten 

 back in summer those that are to be removed later; by 

 such treatment a large part of the strength of the tree 

 goes into the top without increasing the size of the lower 

 branches, which may be removed in a year or two with- 

 out injury to the tree. 



3. After pruning, paint the wounds with good white 

 lead paint, to keep the wood from decaying and the in- 



FIG. 34. Showing how to make the cut in pruning large branches. 

 The upper cut, all made from above, permits the branch to split 

 down. The left cut, first made partly from below, prevents 

 splitting down. (After Goff.) 



juries from becoming permanent. This is not so neces- 

 sary on very hardy trees as on those that are somewhat 

 tender. 



4. Where branches rub together, it is generally best 

 to remove one of them. 



5. Where bad crotches are being formed by the de- 

 velopment of two leaders, severely check the growth 

 of one of them by shortening it, thus throwing* more sap 

 into the other and making it the leading shoot. 



