TREATMENT OF GIRDLED TREES 119 



sorv-Rook). The reader will also notice the depo- 

 sition of tissue above the braces in Fig. 107. 



We now see the importance of preventing the 

 girdling of trees by label wires and by careless 

 tying to stakes; but we are also informed that a 

 girdle is not necessarily fatal to a tree. If the 

 young wood remains live and moist, the crude 

 food materials may pass up from the roots, and 

 the plant continues to live for some time, and in 

 the case of coniferous trees, often for several 

 years. If the girdle is made early in the season, 

 the tree may cover the girdle with bark the same 

 year, and thus live on; but if the girdle is made 

 late in the season, the sap wood is likely to dry 

 out and die, and the tree to perish before the 

 return o'f another season. If it is desired to kill 

 trees quickly by girdling them, the girdle should 

 extend through the sap wood. 



In the treating of girdled trees, it is first nec- 

 essary to see that the exposed wood does not 

 become dry and diseased. Trim away the rough 

 edges of bark, apply an antiseptic (a wash of 

 Bordeaux mixture is to be recommended), then 

 cover the entire surface with melted wax* and 

 bind it up with cloth bandages. Fruit trees may 



*Many recipes for tree-waxes may be found in "The Nursery-Book." 

 The following is excellent: Into a kettle place one part by weight of 

 tallow, two parts of beeswax, four parts of rosin. When completely 

 melted, pour into a tub or pail of cold water, then work it with the 

 hands (which should be greased) until it develops a grain and becomes 

 the color of taffy candy. 



