178 STUDIES OF TREES 



in place and to exclude moisture and disease. The washers 

 and nuts on the inner side of the limbs should also be 

 embedded. 



A chain is sometimes advantageously substituted for 

 the middle section of the bar and, in some cases, where 

 more than two branches have to be joined together, a ring 

 might take the place of the middle bar or chain. 



Bolts on a tree detract considerably from its natural 

 beauty and should, therefore, be used only where they 

 are absolutely necessary for the safety of the tree. They 

 should be placed as high up in the tree as possible without 

 weakening the limbs. 



