442 PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 



(1) By planting very closely; some advocate 4x4 feet, or 2,700 trees, per 

 acre. 



(2) By giving them considerably greater space, as 7x7 feet, 888 trees per 

 acre. After a certain season they are thinned out, leaving 222 permanent trees 

 per acre to grow into lumber. 



(3) By planting as in Method 2, permitting them to grow without prun- 

 ing, yet cultivating thoroughly, and after the trees have formed a strong root 

 system, in from two to four years, cutting off the entire plantation, leveling 

 the trees with the ground. As young shoots spring from the stump all save 

 one are removed, permitting the entire energy of the roots to push this one 

 shoot forward rapidly. 



The first method requires four times the number of trees which serve for 

 either of the other methods. It costs four times as much to plant them, which 

 is a very serious matter where trees and labor are expensive. Worse than all, 

 the owner is tempted to leave them, year after year, in hopes of realizing some- 

 thing for the thinnings, while all become hopelessly stunted in growth. 



Of the two latter methods both have their advocates, both may be con- 

 sidered safe methods; either will make a good forest. There is no method of 

 eliminating side branches and preventing the formation of knots, which is so 

 economical or so sure as the use of the knife or chisel. 



Side branches may be removed in an instant while they are "a half inch 

 in thickness, and none ought to remain to grow much larger, along the trunk 

 to a height of sixteen feet. 



In a natural forest where the trees stand irregularly, just as the wind or 

 some bird or animal dropped the seed, many of the trees will be weeds, or 

 trees of little value, and the ground will be covered without regard to man's 

 economy. But with an artificial forest every foot of surface may be made 

 productive, the greatest possible number of trees on a given area. 



With straight, regular rows the workman may perform the labor of prun- 

 ing in a systematic manner with least expenditure of time. 



Cutting and hauling out the timber may be accomplished with greater 

 ease than in the irregular natural forest. 



There need be no vacancies or waste land to pay interest and taxes upon. 



When the product is to be sold every tree has a value, and the lumber- 

 man will pay full value, since he can use economically the entire produce. 



The branches should be removed close to the trunk of the tree, never 

 leaving even quarter of an inch of the stub attached, as these short dead stubs. 

 dying, permit the germs of decay to enter the body of the tree, and eventually 

 the treeis destroyed. 



Cut off close to the trunk, even paring away a little of the living bark, 

 perhaps. Nature at once begins to callous this wound and a new growth of 

 wood soon covers it. 



Under no circumstances or conditions is a double headed tree permissible. 

 On a lawn the beauty and symmetry of the tree is destroyed by having two 

 leading branches to four heads. While as a timber tree the total value of the 

 tree, for lumber, is lost. 



