96 



FORESTRY IN NEW ENGLAND 



as to prune those of the subordinate crown classes, which will die 

 or be removed in thinnings, would be a useless expense. 



Various tools can be successfully used in forest pruning. As 

 only dead Hmbs are removed, a blow from the back side of an axe 



Fig. 40. — The results of pruning in producing clear lumber. The tree from which this 

 lumber came was pruned up to, but not including, the set of knots marked B. 



or a heavy stick will often do the work. On the higher hmbs and 

 where the limbs are small, pruning hooks do the best work. 

 Where larger limbs are found, a saw is needed. The cuts should 

 be smooth, and close to the trunk, so that they may readily heal 

 over. 



