NURSERY PRACTICE. 119 



in autumn or early winter generally heal over well, but 

 are more likely to cause bad injuries than if made at 

 the close of the winter. These considerations and prac- 

 tical experience have brought about the following con- 

 clusions as to the best time for pruning: 



Large Branches are Most Safely Removed during the 

 latter part of winter, before growth starts. Small branches 

 may be safely removed at this time, or during the grow- 

 ing season, preferably about the middle of June; but 



Fig. 33. — Showing the proper place to make the cut in pruning. 

 A wound made on the dotted line A — B will be promptly healed; 

 one made on the line C — D or E — F will not. In Fig. 34 the 

 lower branch was cut off too far from the trunk. (After Goff.) 



such very hardy trees as the Elm, Ash, Box-elder, White 

 Willow, Catalpa, and Cottonwood may be safely pruned 

 at any time in autumn, winter, or springy while the Moun- 

 tain Ash, Apple, Plum, and Wild Cherry are liable to 

 injury if pruned at any but the most favorable seasons. 

 Among the Directions to be Followed in Good Pruning 

 are the following: 



1. Do not cut off a single branch unless you have 

 a good idea of what you wish to accomplish and the prob- 

 able effect of so doing on the tree; better not prune at 

 all than to do it without considering the consequences. 



2. Avoid doing very much pruning at one time, es- 

 pecially on small street trees, which, if they have all 



