CHAPTER XXXIII 

 TREE SURGERY 



Many of the diseases and injuries of the bark and wood of 

 valuable shade and ornamental trees may be controlled by re- 

 moving the affected parts. Two factors determine whether 

 surgical methods are advisable; the value of the tree should 

 justify the expense and the men who do the work should be 

 capable. As to the expense that is justified, the owner alone 

 can judge after estimating the cost of the work. The capabil- 

 ities of the workmen largely determine whether or not the ex- 

 pense involved will be wasted. The surgical work done by many 

 individuals and companies is both worthless and injurious to 

 the tree. For this reason the public has become skeptical re- 

 garding the value of tree surgery. There is nothing mysterious 

 nor diflBcult about the practice and it can be done by any one 

 who understands the structure and physiology of trees and the 

 general nature of the diseased conditions of wood and bark. 

 Ability to work in all parts of the tree and handle the necessary 

 tools greatly facilitate the operations. The follqwing discussion 

 is written primarily as a guide in surgical methods. At the same 

 time it will aid the reader in critically examining work done by 

 others. 



The heartwood of the tree may be removed without in any 

 way interfering with its life processes. The removal of a large 

 area of heartwood may, however, weaken the tree and some 

 bracing or bolting may be necessary. The sapwood and bark 

 must be carefully conserved. This is easily appreciated when 

 one considers that these tissues are the communicative channels 



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