4)4<2 Creeps Sy&tem of Pruning Forest Trees. 



he would have found it distinctly stated, that the remaining" 

 branches are all to be shortened, and more especially any large 

 one which is gaining a disproportionate ascendancy over others ; 

 and thus this very pretended evil, which he wishes so largely to 

 magnify, was in an especial manner provided against in my 

 system. 



Mr. Matthew, in his directions for training plank timber, says : 

 " Cut off, close by the trunk, all shoots which rise at a very 

 acute angle with the main stem ; also lop off all branches which, 

 by taking an irregular direction, incline to rub upon the more 

 regulai', and remove all splintered, twisted, and diseased branches." 

 By a single glance at this paragraph, it may be seen that he has 

 transformed the principles of orchard-pruning into that of plank 

 timber. 



He continues. " After the tree has acquired a sufficient height 

 for plank, say from 20 to 60 feet, according to circumstances of 

 exposure, climate, &c., and also as much branching above this 

 height as may be thought necessary to carry on advantageously 

 the vital functions, as the superior head will now sustain small 

 injury by being thrown out into large branches and plurality of 

 leaders, it will then be proper, in order to have timber as clean 

 as possible, and regularly flexible, to lop clean off all the branches 

 on the stem as far up as this required height ; should these be 

 covering the whole or a considerable portion of the stem, as will 

 occur in the more open situations, where the lower branches have 

 gradually become sickly or dead, they ought to be removed by 

 several successive prunings, at intervals of at least two years, 

 that the plant may not suffer any injurious check by losing too 

 many branches at once. From the early attention to procure 

 very numerous feeders, and to prevent any from attaining very 

 large size, the wounds will soon be closed over, leaving no ex- 

 ternal scar, and as little as possible of internal knot or breaking 

 of the fibre. Should a number of small shoots spring out in 

 consequence of this last pruning, they may be swept down, if 

 good plank be desired. The oak and elm are more disposed to 

 this sprouting out than other kinds." 



Now, suppose that proprietors were disposed to follow Mr. 

 Matthew's system, and that they had to commence with the 

 making of young plantations ; and suppose further, that they 

 wished only to have clean timber to the height of 40 ft., with a 

 head conformable ; it is evident that they must, at the earliest, 

 continue their exertions for nearly half a centurj^, before one tree 

 would be in a state fit for being pruned up for his plank timber. 

 And, from the uncertainty of human life, few, I am afraid, if any, 

 would continue the system so long. I allow that taking out a 

 few branches, even those that rise at an acute angle, is of benefit, 

 and which is in conformity with the old system ; and where the 



