COPPICE WITH STANDARDS. 163 



ness in the wood, which, is now no longer in con- 

 tact with the air, spreads very slowly ; in a word, 

 becomes localised. 



Dead branches which spring directly on the 

 trunk at the lowest point of the crown must also 

 be lopped off clean along the surface of insertion. 

 However, before doing this it is advisable to study 

 well the local and special conditions of vegeta- 

 tion. If the branch is erect and the wood liable to 

 rapid decay, it must be cut off clean on the bole. 

 But when the branch is horizontal or describes a 

 small angle with the horizon, and is itself rather 

 large, and especially if the oak tree in question con- 

 tains tough timber not easily liable to rot, it is often 

 objectionable to cut it off down to its point of 

 insertion. By doing so, a large wound is uselessly 

 made, and a solution of continuity is caused in the 

 bole, when a little dead, but perfectly sound wood, 

 would have been the only result. In this case it is 

 quite enough to replace the jagged surface at the 

 broken end by a clean section made at some distance 

 from the trunk, whenever this can be done. 



A live branch may be lopped off with the object 

 either of increasing the length of bole, or of keeping 

 a cover, that is too spreading, within proper limits, 

 or of anticipating the mischief which would result 

 from an accident. 



It cannot be denied that length of bole is a very 

 important quality ; but we must not be guided by 

 appearances. A tree, whose branches have been 

 lopped in this manner, may appear quite sound so 

 long as it is standing. Unfortunately our hopes are 



