24 



more carefully to obtain the best results. Pruning the branches of 

 trees directs the energies of growth to the trunk, whereas topping or 

 the destruction of the leader has the reverse effect. Continual 

 pruning of the lower branches induces the tree to grow taller than it 

 otherwise would, and in some locations is advantageous to the tree. 

 Topping is destructive to the formation of typical crowns in such 

 trees as the elm, hornbeam, etc., whereas in other trees, like the 

 Carolina poplar, topping or pollarding has a tendency to thicken 



"-'MU'' 



Fig. 4. Showing too common method of pruning limbs, resulting in tlie disfiguration 

 of the tree, a, treer before pruning, b, limb cut too close, resulting in the peeling of the 

 bark, c, unsightly wound caused by this method of pruning. 



them up and make them more desirable shade trees. The configura- 

 tion of the crowns of maple trees is modified to some extent by top- 

 ping them when they are young, and this modification is manifested 

 by the branches assuming more of a vertical direction. 



The cutting back of old trees is usually followed by disappoint- 

 ment in the results obtained, and it is often a question as to whether 

 this is worth while, although old trees, if not too far gone, may be 



