134 TREES IN WINTEK 



many trees before they reacli their maximum development. Al- 

 though a definite age limit for the various species of trees cannot 

 be fixed as with animals, we frequently classify them as long-lived 

 trees and short-lived trees. The Oaks, the White Pine and the 

 Sycamore are regarded as long-lived trees, and the Poplars, Willows 

 and most of the Birches as short-lived. Most other species are in- 

 termediate between these two extremes. 



Tree Surgery — Property holders and those w^ho have charge of 

 the tree work in cities, are frequently confronted with the necessity 

 for renovating trees that have been neglected in the past. The 

 demand for the improvement of neglected trees has brought into 

 existence a class of men variously known as "professional foresters," 

 "tree doctors," and "tree surgeons" and their business is known as 

 tree surgery. On the whole these people are reliable and are doing 

 a good work. Some of them, however, are not so dependable and 

 their work not only is of little value, but is sometimes accompanied 

 by real injury to the trees. It is well to avoid those who claim 

 that by injecting into the trunk some magic concoction the tree is 

 thereafter immune to the attacks of insects and disease. 



The reputable tree surgeons are in the habit of making contracts 

 for the renovation of trees. Towns and cities frequently engage 

 these experts to treat all or a part of their trees that require at- 

 tention. Their work usually consists in the removal of all dead 

 wood front the trees, the dressing of the wounds, the filling of the 

 cavities, and the necessary chaining and bolting. Sometimes 

 they are engaged either by the same or a separate contract, to spray 

 the trees and to treat them in other ways. They may contract to do 

 the whole job for a stipulated amount, or they may fix a charge 

 for each tree that requires treatment or for each day that they 

 work. 



Dehorning Trees — A few years ago in the city of Boston and 

 other New England cities, many of the park and street trees were 

 severely headed-in or "dehorned." The practice was limited mostly 

 to the very tall specimens. Many fine old elms were treated in this 

 way. The objects seem to have been to encourage a denser growth 

 and to lessen the danger from falling branches. The desired ob- 

 jects were accomplished, but at a great sacrifice to the appearance 

 of the trees for many years. After a lapse of about fifteen years 

 many of the trees have outgrown the effects of such harsh treat- 



