TREATMENT OF OLD WOUNDS. 51 



CHAPTER V. 



THE TREATMENT OF OLD WOUNDS. CAVITIES IN 

 THE TRUNK. THE REMOVAL OF SHOOTS. 



BARK once injured or loosened can never attach 

 itself again to the trunk ; and whenever wounds, 

 abrasures, or sections of loose bark exist on the trunk 

 of a tree, the damaged part should be cut away 

 cleanly as far as the injury extends. Careful persons 

 have been known to nail on to a tree a piece of 

 loosened bark, in the hope of inducing it to grow 

 again, or at least of retaining on the young wood its 

 natural covering. Unfortunately the result produced 

 by this operation is exactly opposite to that intended. 

 The decaying wood and bark attract thousands of 

 insects, which find here safe shelter and abundant 

 food ; and, increasing rapidly, hasten the death of the 

 tree. 



In such cases, instead of refastening the loosened 

 bark to the tree, it should be entirely cut away, care 

 being taken to give the cut a regular outline, espe- 

 cially on the lower side ; for, as has been already 

 explained, if a portion of the bark (A, Fig. 49), 



