PRUNING OF FOREST TREES. 63 
CHAPTER Viti 
PRUNING OF FOREST TREES. 
Tuts is another subject upon which there has been much 
discussion, and the more the subject is agitated the greater 
becomes the number of opinions and theories. While the 
trees remain in the nursery rows they require annual prun- 
ings in order that we may have them of the proper shape 
when required for permanent plantations. It is not desir- 
able to prune them severely, but only to give the growth 
the proper direction. Sometimes there will be several 
leading shoots, and the tree will assume the shape of a 
shrub more than of a tree. In such cases, all the shoots, 
except the strongest, should be cut-away close to the main 
stock. All suckers from near the base of the tree should 
be annually cut off. The trees should also be trimmed up 
—that is, the lower branches cut off smooth to the stem, 
epecially when the trees are wanted for timber. A straight 
stem is always desirable, and it can not be had with some 
varieties unless the knife is frequently used. If the trees | 
are properly pruned when young, there will be no neces- 
sity of taking off large branches when they become old. 
Too many branches must not be taken cif at one time, as 
leaves are indispensable to growth; but ycung trees may 
produce more leaves than is necessary for a healthy growth, 
and a reduction in number may increase rather than de- 
