202 INTERMEDIATE CUTTINGS 



Various tools may be used in forest pruning. For general 

 use on branches of all sizes and particularly on work at a 

 distance from the ground higher than a man's head, the small 

 pruning saws commonly used in horticultural work cannot 

 be excelled. The writer prefers a curved saw with teeth on 

 both edges and with the teeth on one edge arranged to cut on 

 the downward pull. Saws leave a rough surface but do not 

 injure the tree. 



A sharp axe or hatchet is an excellent tool in skilled hands, 

 but when carelessly used is liable to wound the trunk of the 

 tree above and below the severed branch. Pruning shears 

 can be used for small branches less than one-half to one inch 

 in diameter. A cutting tool leaves a smooth surface. In 

 removing branches out of reach from the ground the pruning 

 tool must either be mounted on a pole or else a ladder used 

 to climb with. For distances up to i6 to 25 feet the long 

 pole is more economical than use of a ladder. A chisel 

 mounted on a pole is an effective tool. 



With any tool the cuts should be made close to the trunk, 

 smooth so as to heal over quickly before fungi or insects enter, 

 and without tearing or loosening the bark from the branch stub. 



Pruning requires a present expenditure for the purpose of 

 increasing the unit value of the final product. The probable 

 returns to be expected can be estimated more accurately than 

 in some other lines of silvicultural work, so that it should 

 be easy in any case to decide upon the advisability of the 

 operation. The cost of pruning is apt to be between 2 and 

 10 cents per tree. 



An example of a rather radical system of pruning is that 

 advocated by Knapp ^ for white pine {Pinus strohus) . His 

 plan involves the pruning of 100 to 150 trees per acre up to the 

 height of 17 feet. The pruning is started before the lower 

 branches die, or become over one-half inch in diameter, and 



