60 



Trimming and Pruning. 



36. A Tree that has 

 been Pruned somo 

 distance from the 

 Trunk. 



annexed engraving is very common in the button-wood, when care- 

 lessly pruned, or otherwise injured. 



223. As for dead branches, such as we often 

 see on the lower part of the trunks of coniferous 

 trees, they may be cut at all seasons, and the 

 sooner the better, if we would improve the qual- 

 ity of their wood. It becomes, however, in ex- 

 tensive woodlands an expensive process, and 

 practically it must be left to nature, excepting 

 in a favorite grove, or in avenues or upon lawns. 



224. In all forest operations, it is needless to 

 remark, that the use of climbing spurs, like 



those employed in repairing telegraphs, must be wholly forbidden, 

 as they do irreparable injuries to the bark and the wood, and the 

 laws should protect owners from their unauthorized use by any one, 

 upon any occasion. 



225. The tools most used in pruning are the saw, with a wide set, 

 hand-shears, priming- 

 shears, pruning-chisels, 

 attached to long han- 

 dles, with an edge that 

 cuts in drawing as well 

 as in pushing, the com- 

 mon ax, and various 

 other implements. A 

 tool much used in 

 France is the serpe, 



which consists of a heavy blade, with both 

 edges sharp, and attached to a short handle. 

 It is carried in a leather case, slung over the 

 shoulder, and is used very skillfully. For 

 small branches, they cut by an upward stroke. 

 226. In trimming poplars and willows, the 

 whole top of the tree is sometimes cut off. 

 Such trees are called "Pollards." They should 



37. Hand-Shears, for 

 Pruning. 



39. The Serpe. 



38. Pruning-Phears, for at- 

 taching to u long Handle. 



40. Pruning Chisels. 



be cut off just above where the lower branches separate, and not as 

 shown in the middle figure bjj the line at A. Such trees will restore 

 themselves without showing the effect of the injury, as shown in the 

 right-hand figure, if properly cut. The practice tends to render 



