14 



SHADE TREE GUIDE. 



sive mernber. With few exceptions trimming the ends of branches 

 is wrong and cutting off the whole top is butchery. 



Branches which hang too low should not be trimmed, but cut 

 back to the trunk or main branch. If branches grow so that they 

 interfere with electric wires, either have the wires lowered, or re- 

 move entirely all but the three or four most vigorous shoots and 

 stimulate the tree to carry a crown above the wires. (See p. 19.) 

 For treatment of heavy limbs see Injuries, page 15. 



Vigor. If a tree is so weakened that dry branches appear, cut 

 out all the dead wood, and such of the living members as is neces- 

 sary to make the tree shapely. If lack of vigor is shown by droop- 

 ing foliage and the crown is very dense (as is common in Norway 

 maples and sugar maples), relief will be given by removing a quarter 

 or a third of the foliage. This should be done, not by cutting off the 

 extremities, but by taking out interior branches entire (figs. 8, 9). 

 When done skilfully the appearance of a tree as well as its strength 

 is improved. After pruning for vigor a tree should always be well 

 fertilized and watered. 



Fig. 8. Diagram, from a Photo- 

 graph, of a Norway Maple Show- 

 ing the very Dense Crown 

 Common with this Species. The 

 Foliage Produced Makes a Heavy 

 Draft upon the Soil Fertility and 

 Water and Frequently Leads to 

 Wilting. 



Fig. 9. The Same Norway Maple 

 as that Shown in Fig. 8 with 

 Superfluous Branches Removed 

 by an Interior Pruning. This 

 Preserves the Natural Form of 

 the Crown and a Frame that will 

 Produce as much Foliage as is 

 Desirable. 



Covering cuts. Unless it is properly treated every break in the 

 bark of a tree affords entrance to disease germs. In practice clean 

 cuts less than an inch in diameter are ignored ; every larger wound 

 should be coated with an antiseptic. The most practical is creosote 

 followed by coal tar. Tar alone is often used, but does not pene- 

 trate deep enough to give best results. Creosote is a dark oil and 

 can be applied with a brush. Tar should be made liquid by heat and 

 applied in the same way. It is advisable to avoid covering the cam- 



