On pruning Forest Trees. 309 



the stem being formed by descending radicles from the buds. 

 But this example of the willow is no corroboration of the 

 doctor's idea, when duly considered. The shoots of the wil- 

 low, like those of all other trees, it is perfectly true, are pro- 

 longed by the assistance of radicles simultaneously produced. 

 The doctor's idea was, that these two members are imme- 

 diately connected, and that the latter are actually thrown out 

 by the former, as in the case of a single eye of a grape-vine 

 struck as a cutting. But that acute philosopher forgot that 

 in the case of a pollard willow, or, indeed, any other tree, 

 there exists an intermediate vital member which connects the 

 extremities, and which is constitutionally calculated to allow 

 intercommunication between them, without any portion of the 

 shoot descending to the root, or any part of the latter, except 

 fluids, ascending to the former. The intermediate channel is 

 the seat of vitality, formed of cellular matter and a vascular 

 apparatus, which, while it conducts, is itself increased by the 

 impulse and qualities of the rising current. 



An argument in support of heading down young, and 

 judiciously pruning old, deciduous trees, may be drawn from 

 the natural history of many sorts of willows. They are not 

 constituted to be permanent. So far from their bulk, num- 

 ber of branches, and quantity of foliage being incentives to 

 increased vegetative power, an exactly contrary effect is the 

 consequence. As they increase in size, the more feeble is 

 their growth, till at last all vitality ceases ; whereas, were 

 they repeatedly cut in, new power would be imparted, by 

 calling forth latent principles of life, and their existence would 

 be prolonged to an indefinite length of time. The common 

 furze ( if lex. europse v a) requires to be frequently cut, or eaten 

 down, to keep it alive. The alder tree is comparatively short- 

 lived ; but may be reproduced successively, for ages, from the 

 same stool. 



The preceding remarks show that it is quite practicable to 

 obtain a fair length of sound bole, say, on an average, of 

 20 ft. or 25 ft., without much sacrifice of time or money, and 

 without fear of checking the growth by pruning. All branches 

 which appear contending with the leader, and threaten to 

 divide or divert it from its perpendicular course, should be 

 taken off close to the bole, and before they are more than 

 about one inch in diameter. This being attended to, no wounds 

 will be made but what will be nearly healed over before the 

 growth ceases in the autumn. 



The annexed figures represent the grain or structure of the 

 wood, as it appears on a perpendicular section supposed to be 



x 3 



