Chapter VIII 



GENERAL METHOD OF FILLING 

 CAVITIES 



SO much for the materials used in dressing and 

 filling cavities. Next in order is a general 

 description of methods — the way the excavation 

 is made, the way the hollow trunk is braced and 

 filled. This general description will be followed 

 by specific discussions of the various types of 

 cavities and of the special problems each presents. 



PRELIMINARY SURVEY 



After it has been decided to fill a cavity in a cer- 

 tain tree, the first thing to be done is to make a 

 careful investigation of the decayed portion of the 

 trunk, the purpose being to map out the course to 

 be followed in excavating the rotten wood. If 

 openings already exist, as they usually do, it must 

 be decided whether they will offer sufficient access 

 to the decay, and, if not, how much they must be 

 enlarged, or what new incisions must be made, and 

 where. It is often wise to leave the cutting of 

 new holes until after the excavation is well under 



119 



