32 



pruning of limbs, the breaking off of branches and other injuries 

 which are not followed by proper treatment at the time. 



The treatment of cavities naturally involves some expense, but if a 



tree is of value, if only sentimental, it is worth 



^H ^m treating. There are many trees which to the 



- ■^1 ^^BSZ! casual observer would appear to be of little 



i! 1* ^m consequence, but the associations connected 



^~ ^r ^^^^ them may be highly cherished. Then, 



again, the location is often important. The 

 tree may furnish shade which cannot be dis- 

 pensed with, and even if old and decayed it 

 is more satisfactory to treat it than to wait 

 for a new tree to grow. 



The rationale underlying the cleaning and 

 filling of cavities is similar to that in dentis- 

 try, and there is reason to believe that if the 

 work is properly done and if antiseptic con- 

 ditions are maintained the length of a tree's 

 life may be extended. 



For centuries trees have been treated in 

 one way and another, and cavities have been 

 filled with wood, brick, stone and other substances for many years, 

 but as a rule this work has been very crude in nature, and has proba- 

 bly done little or nothing toward the prevention of decay. During 

 the past few years, however, 

 more attention has been given 

 to the treatment of decayed 

 cavities in trees, and many ex- 

 amples may be seen, although it 

 must be confessed that as yet the 

 work is in an experimental stage. 

 It is too early to say what has 

 been accomplished by the vari- 

 ous methods of treatment. Fig. 12. Longitudinal section of Hmb, show. 

 The object and process of ing method of bolting. B,bark. X, wood. R, 



bolt. W, washer. C, elastic cement, 

 treatmg decayed cavities may be 



summarized as follows : 



Fig. II. Showing tree 

 properly bolted, washer 

 countersunk and im- 

 bedded in cement. From 

 "Park and Cemetery." 



From "Park and Cemetery." 



First, to extend the usefulness of the tree and prolong its life. 



