CHAPTER VIII 



GENERAL 



THERE are many details which have to be considered by 

 a forester, but which are beyond the scope of such a book 

 as this. It might be well, however, to consider, very briefly, 

 a few of those which are more important or interesting. 



Pruning. 



Pruning is the term applied to the artificial removal of 

 unnecessary or undesirable branches or roots. It is an operation- 

 of far less importance in sylviculture than in horticulture, but it is 

 occasionally necessary. 



Under a properly-managed canopy, lateral branches, which 

 are useless as timber, are killed off at a comparatively early age. 

 In some cases, although dead, these branches retain their connection 

 with the trunk, so that the base becomes buried in the wood of the 

 latter as each successive annual ring is added, forming a loose 

 or black knot. In the case of some conifers, it is advisable to knock 

 these branches off as soon as they attain a sufficiently brittle condition. 

 This applies especially to larch, and helps to prevent the growth of 

 larch canker. 



Actual pruning is usually only carried out in the case of isolated 

 trees ; also, specimens grown to any considerable size in the 

 nursery will probably require pruning, both of shoots and roots. 

 It is frequently necessary to shorten the tap-roots of oak transplants 

 before planting. Some species of trees tolerate pruning better than 

 others. Broad-leaved trees, taken as a whole, stand pruning 

 better than conifers ; but, even in the former case, it is not advisable 

 to prune branches of a greater diameter than four inches. Oak, ash 

 and sycamore stand pruning well, but if the pruning is severe. 



