56 



STRUGGLE AMONGST BRANCHES 



to "pollard" or cut off the tops of trees every few years for 

 the firewood or other uses, and strong adventitious shoots 



arise along the trunk. 



(Fig: 92.) 



125. Where the 

 Branches Grow. — Be- 

 cause new shoots tend 

 to arise from the top 

 of the twigs, the branches 

 of most trees are in tiers 

 or layers. These tiers of- 

 ten can be traced in trees 

 50 and 100 years old. 

 Try it in any oak, maple, 

 ash, or other tree. For 

 practice, begin with 

 young, vigorous trees. 

 (Figs. 93 and 94.) 



126. When part of a 

 top is removed, the remaining branches fill the space. The 

 branches are attracted by the light, and grow in that 

 direction. A pruned or injured top always tends to come 

 back to equilibrium. 



93. Tiers of 

 branches on 

 young tree. 



94. Even in old trees 

 the tiers can be 

 traced. 



95. Crushed by storm, the tree still shoots upward. 



