CUTTING BACK YOUNG OAKS. 81 



the rest cut off; lateral branches near the base should 

 be cut off close to the stem, but overgrown branches 

 which tend or are likely to destroy the balance of the 

 tree should be shortened. Later side branches should 

 be cut off so that a clean stem may be formed to the 

 extent of one-third or one-half the height of the tree. 



Trees which have been planted and have become 

 hide-bound, or which show signs of decay, should be 

 cut clean away to four inches from the ground ; at 

 the same time, however, a small stake should be 

 driven in to mark the stool, so that the young shoots 

 which will soon appear should not be destroyed when 

 cutting the herbage. This process should be carried 

 out in April or early in May, and by the following 

 winter the best shoot may be selected for the future 

 tree. Some foresters invariably adopt this plan in 

 all plantations of oaks. Poplars, or other fast-growing 

 trees planted for shelter, may also be cut back when 

 planted, or soon after, as this tends to develop 

 branches and renders the shelter more effective. 



Passing on to a later stage, it may be found neces- 

 sary to prune outside or isolated trees, so as to secure 

 a well-balanced head, or it may be necessary to cut 

 off or shorten branches which have been broken or 

 twisted by wind ; these, however, are exceptional 

 cases, for in the main plantations, or in woods which 

 have been carefully tended, no occasion for the knife 

 or saw is likely to be found. In neglected woods, 

 where trees have attained considerable dimensions, 

 much may be noticed which might have been rectified ; 

 but it is too late to rectify errors of the past, and all 

 pruning under these circumstances will be worse 



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