932 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



of the branch so that the man in the tree looking down 

 cannot see its dangerous condition. 



A dead limb with bark falling off indicates that it died 

 at least three months before, and is, therefore, less safe 

 than one with its bark tightly adhering to it. 



Branches are more apt to snap on a frosty day when 

 they are covered with an icy coating than on a summer 

 day. 



A rainy or drizzly day causes the branches of a tree 

 tt be slippery, and greater precautions are then necessary. 



HINTS ON PRUNING 



Always use a pole saw and pole shears on the tips of 

 long branches, and use the pole hook in removing dead 

 branches of the ailanthus and other brittle trees where il 

 would be too dangerous to 

 reach them otherwise. 



Do not "Head Back" or 

 cut off the top of a tree ex- 

 cept where the tree is old 

 and failing, and then under 

 special instructions. 



Be as sparing and as ju- 

 dicious in your pruning as 

 possible, and do not raise 

 the branches so high as to 

 make the tree look like a 

 telegraph pole. 



Commence pruning the 

 tree from the top and finish 

 at the bottom. 



Make every cut as close 

 and parallel to the trunk 

 as possible. 



Your saw must be well 

 set and sharp in order to 

 make the cut perfectly 

 smooth. 



Leave no stubs, dead and 

 dying wood, or fungus-covered branches behind you. 



Do not fail to cover every wound with coal tar, not 

 allowing it to needlessly run down the trunk. 



Do not remove several large branches on one tree at 

 a lime. They must be removed gradually, the work ex- 

 tending over several seasons. 



Prevent tearing the bark oflf the trunk in removing 

 large limbs by first making an "undercut." 



Make the cuts on a slant. Some trees, like the elm, 

 sycamore, linden and willow will stand the process of 

 heading back more than others, and the poplar is a tree 

 that must be cut back every few years to keep its crown 

 from becoming too tall and unsafe. 



When you shorten a branch leave a few twigs at the 

 end in order to draw the sap to the freshly cut wound 

 and thus enable the growing layer under the bark to 

 heal it over. 



In trimming small branches or shoots, the cut must be 

 made just above a bud. 



When several branches come out from the trunk in a 



HOW NOT TO PRUNE TREES 



In the accompanying article is much excellent advice on how to prune 

 trees and if^ this is carefully followed such results as are seen in this 

 photograph may be avoided. 



whorl, they should not all be cut away at the same time 

 lost the tree be girdled. This arrangement of branches 

 occurs most frequently in the coniferous trees. 



MT. VERNON, N. Y., AND ITS SHADE TREES 



Mt. Vernon, N. Y., and its authorities deserve con- 

 gratulation upon the organization of a permanent Shade 

 Tree Commission and a municipal ofifice and field force 

 to care for its shade trees and work up a plan for present 

 and future planting. 



Mt. Vernon, a city of under 40,000, is one of the 

 smaller communities supporting such a department, but 

 shows the characteristic progressiveness of that city, and 

 is indicative of the growing interest throughout the coun- 

 try in having the shade trees properly cared for. A 



wealth of trees graces the 

 streets of Mt. Vernon, 

 most of which were planted 

 thirty-five to forty-five 

 years ago. The maples 

 comprise the majority 

 while the elms, lindens, 

 poplars and horse chestnuts 

 are very abundant, the rest 

 being well distributed 

 among some twenty-five 

 species. The tree condi- 

 tions are those usually 

 found in all cities where 

 systematic care has been 

 unknown. Some of the 

 oldest trees are showing 

 signs of decay ; and faulty 

 spacing of many of the 

 trees is the natural result 

 of haphazard individual 

 planting. The insect dam- 

 age this year has been re- 

 markably slight, especially 

 when compared with the heavy inroads made by the tus- 

 sock moth and other insects in some of the eastern cities. 

 The Shade Tree Commission has made an early start and 

 by so doing will avoid that almost treeless period from 

 which so many cities have suffered due to lack of proper 

 foresight. 



Many European cities are famous for their far-sighted 

 policies and the size of improvement projects which they 

 undertake; harbors, waterways, transportation facili- 

 ties, parkways and boulevards are all planned in accurate 

 detail long in advance of actual development and are 

 always planned with the idea of benefiting the greatest 

 number of people. The reason may be found in the ever- 

 present attitude of sacrificing the individual for the good 

 of the community. In this country it is usually the in- 

 dividual or corporation that prospers at the expense of 

 the municipality. Playgrounds, parks and well shaded 

 streets are of prime importance in adding to the comfort 

 of any community, thus making the city more attractive 

 to strangers and more appreciated by the residents. 



