30 



CHAINING AND BOLTING TREES. 



In many instances it is necessary to render trees more secure by 

 bolting or chaining them to prevent injury and disfiguration, and as 

 this process is not an expensive one it should be much more largely 

 used than it is, since many valuable trees have been rendered prac- 

 tically v^rorthless by the loss of large 

 limbs during wind storms. The elm, 

 although a tough tree, with wood ex- 

 tremely difficult to work up into fuel, is 

 very likely to split, and for this reason 

 it is advisable to chain and bolt elm 

 trees which show a tendency to weak- 

 ness. 



Different devices are employed for 

 strengthening trees. Some of these are 

 objectionable and do more harm than 

 good ; for instance, it has been common 

 in many places to chain limbs to pre- 

 vent their splitting, but as the tree de- 

 velops the chain becomes imbedded in 

 the bark, partially girdling it and dis- 

 figuring the tree to quite an extent. 

 (See Fig. 8.) 



Another equally objectionable method 

 is placing strong bands of iron around 

 limbs. (See Fig. 9.) Many prefer to 

 use an iron rod rather than a chain, 

 and although both have their place, in 

 our estimation the chain system is the 

 better for most purposes. If it is de- 

 sired to secure rigidity by fastening the 

 limbs near the point of forking an iron rod is preferable ; but for 

 long spaces remote from the junction of the limbs the chain method 

 is superior, since a rod is likely to break owing to its rigidity when 

 the tree is swayed by the wind ; whereas a chain, which is flexible, 

 will stand the strain better. Steel chains are stronger than iron 

 .rods, and for this reason are better for use in such cases, besides 



Fig. 9. Iron band around limbs of 

 tree. An objectionable method. 

 From "Park and Cemetery," 



