46 



TREE PRUNING. 



sirable to make many wounds on the trunk of an old 

 tree, they are less injurious than dead and decaying 

 branches, which produce cavities in the trunk that 

 should be avoided at any cost. The branches of an 

 old tree should not be allowed to interfere with the 

 growth of a younger tree standing near and intended 

 to replace it. In cases of this sort the branches of 

 the old tree should be cut in on the side nearest the 

 young tree much more severely than if it stood by 

 itself (Fig. 44). 



Veterans, If a tree of this class has been properly 

 managed, the length of the trunk should equal one 



third to one half of its entire 

 height. The method of 

 pruning very old trees does 

 not essentially differ from 

 that recommended for trees 

 belonging to the last class. 

 All dead or dying wood 

 should be carefully removed, 

 and all old wounds not 

 covered with a healthy 

 growth of new wood should 

 be reopened in the manner to be explained hereafter. 

 All branches either disproportionately long or which 

 might interfere with neighboring trees should be 

 shortened ; and, should it appear advisable, one or 

 two of the lower branches may be amputated. This 

 can always be done without injury to the tree, and 

 has the advantage of increasing the length of the 



Fig. 44. 



