106 GRAFTING OPERATIONS 



and if they extend all around the trunk, the tree is com- 

 pletely girdled and will die. If such injuries are dis- 

 covered before growth starts in the spring, the tree can 

 usually be saved by bridge grafting. In case the trouble 

 is the result of summer injury the remedy is not so easy 

 but may be used successfully. Where the bark has been 

 off for two or three years but resulting in comparatively 

 small wounds the same remedy may be used. If decay 

 has started in the wood, this may be checked, but new 

 wood cannot be grown. 



If the injury results in a complete girdle, the first thing 

 to do is to trim off the edges of the old bark down to 

 fresh cambium, both above and below the wound. The 

 cions may be cut from the same or similar trees and should 

 be of the current year's growth. The distance is carefully 

 measured across the injury and the cions cut a sufficient 

 length to reach across and extend one and one-quarter inches 

 under the fresh bark both above and below the wound. 

 Both ends of the cions are cut to a face similar to the one 

 used in the bark graft. These are then inserted under the 

 bark at both sides of the injury placing the cut face next 

 to the wood of the tree. If a cion can be placed every 

 inch around the girdle results will be much more satis- 

 factory. They are then tied up and waxed over, being 

 sure to cover all exposed areas. 



If the injury occurs close to the ground the soil may 

 be pulled up around the cions after they have been set 

 and waxed. Old wounds running only part way around 

 the trunk may be healed in the same manner. If the 

 injury is small, the bark of the stock is cut so as to let the 



