PRUNING RESERVE TREES. 



45 



long, or even longer if they are furnished with sufficient 

 shoots to regulate the flow of sap, although it may be 



Fig. 42, 43. Old Oaks, first pruning. 



well to repeat that the branches of the Beech should 

 not be shortened, unless it can be done in such a man- 

 ner as to insure, by abundant foliage at their ends, 

 the supply of sap necessary for the regular develop- 

 ment of the tree. In shortening branches, it is 

 difficult, especially for beginners in the art of pruning, 

 to determine the point at which the operation is best 

 performed. Practice and experience soon teach this, 

 however ; and, even if a few branches die under the 

 operation, no very serious damage has been done. 

 Two or three large branches can be safely removed at 

 one time from old trees ; and, although it is not de- 



