122 TREES AND SHRUBS 



from which they spring. When a stump, even not 

 more than a few inches long, is left, the new bark 

 and wood are unable to close over it, and the wood 

 ultimately decays and acts as a medium for mois- 

 ture and fungoid diseases. A coating of liquid tar 

 over the wound, renewed once or twice until the 

 new bark has closed over, is a sure protection against 

 these evils. 



Trees decayed in the centre, with only an outer 

 layer of healthy wood, are, of course, doomed, but 

 by filling up all holes in the earlier stages of decay, 

 and thus keeping out moisture, their term of life can 

 be lengthened by many years. 



Holes made by woodpeckers can sometimes be 

 plugged up with a piece of Oak. This, if left on a 

 level with the bark, will often enable the latter to 

 close over the hole. Large holes may be filled with 

 cement, or even built up with bricks, the surface 

 being made water-tight and tarred over. 



