Management after Planting. 



59 



Trimming and Pruning. 



219. Where forests are cultivated on a large scale, and for profit, 

 nothing can be done in the way of pruning. This must be left to 

 natural agencies, and if a proper density of growth is maintained, 

 it will take care of itself. But in small groves, and especially in 

 avenues of trees by the roadside, or plantations around dwellings, 

 or in village streets and city parks, the growth and appearance of 

 the trees may be greatly improved by judicious attention. 



220. It is preferable to cut off a branch close to the tree, rather 

 than to leave a stub. The incision should be left as smooth as pos- 

 sible, and it is of great advantage to cover the 

 wound with coal tar. If left to rot off, the 

 branch may form a wound like the one shown 

 on the left-hand side of the annexed cut ; but if 

 smoothly cut off, it may close up completely in 

 a few years. These cavities may extend down 

 to the root, and they not only shorten the life of 

 a tree, but tend to render its timber worthless. 

 Where large cavities are thus formed in a favor- 

 ite tree, the injury may be somewhat delayed by 

 covering the opening with heavily painted canvas 

 or other material that will conceal somewhat the 

 deformity, and keep out the rain. 



221. In cutting off large branches, it is nec- 

 essary to first make an incision on the under side, 

 so as to prevent it from tearing down the side of 

 the tree as it falls. The annexed cut, at A and 

 B, shows the way this can be done. After the 

 branch is off, the stump can be smoothed 

 off, so as to leave a clean incision. It is found 

 very advantageous to apply coal tar to such 

 wounds. 



222. The season of the year has much to do 

 with the success of pruning. It should generally 

 be done after the growth of the season has been 

 formed, and close to the trunk. If left in pegs, 

 they wiU disfigure the tree, and heal over with 35. Tree that has been 

 difficulty. The unsightly growth shown in the Pf^°ed late in Sum- 



A Wound well 

 healed and one 

 badly healed in 

 Timber. 



34. Proper Mode of 

 cutting off Large 

 Branches. 



