DECORATION OF HOME GROUNDS 



75 



formed head or top is established. If these shoots grow 

 close together or all upon one side the top will soon 

 break or split down and the tree be ruined. Deciduous 

 trees only can be treated in this way. Evergreens do 

 not readily send out side shoots when the branches are 

 all removed, but if the lower branches are fairly good 

 they may be improved by cutting back the leader (Figs. 

 19 and 20), thus forcing growth into those that remain. 



FIG. 19 A Norway Spruce with the 

 Leading Shoot Cut Off to Force 

 Growth into the Lower Branches. 



FIG. 20 The Result of Cutting Off 

 the Leading Shoot. 



Evergreens with long bare trunks are not considered as 

 beautiful as those with the lower branches sweeping the 

 ground, but they possess a kind of beauty of their own 

 and in the grove the removal of the lower branches 

 becomes a matter of necessity to let in the light 

 and air. 



Trees that have been planted by the roadside but are 

 now in bad condition from neglect may be improved by 

 the method suggested for those of natural growth. 



