PRUNING 49 



to a single leading shoot ; thin out and shorten back the branches of 

 stunted or unduly spreading specimens ; preserve, in the main, a conical 

 or pyramidal shape whilst they are young. When once the basis of a 

 trunk has been developed sufficiently, the tree may be left to assume that 

 natural shape and outline characteristic of the species to which it belongs. 



Removing Large Limbs of Trees. The question is frequently 

 asked, what is the best season of the year at which to remove limbs of 

 trees ? For such dry woods as oaks, beeches, hornbeams, etc., I find by 

 experience that the season does not matter at all, providing the wound is 

 immediately coated with coal tar. But it is different with the more sappy 

 woods like birch, horse-chestnut, many maples and conifers. The 

 "bleeding" of such trees is often long-continued, and causes much 

 debility if branches are removed in spring; whilst in the case of some 

 conifers it has been known to cause death. The best time for removing 

 branches from such trees, and indeed the safest generally, is November. 

 The flow of sap then is much reduced, and the maximum period is 

 allowed for the surface of the wound to harden, and the coating of tar to 

 set before active growth recommences. The removal of big limbs should 

 be resorted to only when absolutely necessary. It is always dangerous in 

 the case of soft woods like birch, lime, and horse-chestnut, and except in 

 the case of neglected trees, it constitutes no part in the routine of any 

 proper system of pruning. But where limbs have been partially 

 wrenched off by storms, or where questions of safety or other considera- 

 tions necessitate their removal, it should be done preferably at the time 

 of year recommended above, and in the manner now to be described. 



Large branches should always be removed in at least two pieces. 

 Usually they should be cut off in several ; but this is a matter to be 

 decided on the spot. One thing, however, is necessary for the proper 

 finishing of the work, and that is, the last piece to be sawn off should be 

 light in weight, and only from 6 to 12 ins. long. If the attempt be made 

 to remove a big, heavy branch close to the trunk in one cut, it nearly always 

 results in an unsightly wound, owing to the branch breaking away when 

 the saw is about half-way through the cut, and tearing away part of the 

 bark of the trunk. 



A limb or branch must always be cut off so dose to the trunk or larger 

 branch from which it springs that no stump at all remains. The old, but 

 very pernicious, practice of leaving a stump a few inches long is still too 

 often adopted. It is curious how such a practice lingers in spite of 

 endless examples of its evil results. The stump is sometimes left, I 

 believe, with a view to its ultimate removal, the idea being that this is not 

 such a shock to the tree as close amputation at once. Another advocate 

 of the practice will tell you the stump "draws the sap" a phrase of 

 obscure meaning, but intended, I believe, to convey the idea that the 



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