420 PRUNING EVERGREENS. 



consequence of which is, that every bud pushes with great 

 vigour. It is also said that if pruning Evergreens is delayed 

 tiU the spring, the removal of branches filled with the sap, 

 which would otherwise have been concentrated in the trunk or 

 stock, produces the effect of weakening the tree, and rendering 

 its sprouting thickly less certain. Possibly in mild situations, 

 where there is no danger from severe frost, this mode of reason- 

 ing is correct; But it is to be recollected that the greater part 

 of our Evergreens are natives of countries much warmer in 

 summer than our own. The common Laurel is from the 

 Black Sea, the Portugal Laurel from Portugal and Madeira, 

 the Phillyrea from the coast of the Mediterranean, and the 

 Alaternus, Arbutus, Evergreen Oak, and many more, from 

 similar climates. It is true that such trees are sometimes 

 exposed to severe frost; but their winters succeed extremely 

 hot summers, which have the effect of ripening the wood so 

 thoroughly as to render it far more capable of resisting cold 

 than with us under even, the most favourable circumstances. 

 It is found in practice in this country that if Evergreens are 

 cut down in the autumn, a hard winter is certain to injure 

 them severely, partly, perhaps, because the natural protection 

 afforded by the leaves to the soil they grow in is removed, and 

 partly, no doubt, because the turgid state to which, the naked 

 branches are brought by the influence of the roots, above 

 adverted to, renders the wood more susceptible of cold. It is 

 notorious that a given plant suffers from cold in proportion to 

 the quantity of fluid it contains. 



Autumn-pruning Evergreens, then, is disadvantageous in 

 cold climates,; for the adverse action by frost is much greater 

 than the favourable effect of the accumulation of sap. 



Upon the whole, spring is to be recommended in England 

 for pruning Evergreens. Nowhere are the Laurel hedges more 

 beautiful, or in better order, than at Dropmore; and the 

 practice of Mr. Frost, who has the management of them, 

 entirely supports this opinion. He has had great experience in 

 the matter, and has invariably found the months of March 

 and April most advantageous ; indeed, if the weather at the end 

 of March remains severe, he defers the operation till April. 



