276 PRUNING. 



old tree should not be allowed to interfere with the 

 growth of a younger tree standing near and intended 

 to replace it. In cases of this sort the branches of 

 the old tree should be cut in on the side nearest the 

 young tree much more severely than if it stood by 

 itself. 



" Veterans. — If a tree of this class has been properly 

 managed, the length of the trunk should equal one- 

 third to one-half of its entire height. The method of 

 pruning very old trees does not essentially differ from 

 that recommended for trees belonging to the last class. 

 All dead or dying wood should be carefuUy removed, 

 and all old wounds not covered with a healthy growth 

 of new wood should be reopened in the manner to be 

 explained hereafter. All branches either dispropor- 

 tionately long or which might interfere with neigh- 

 bouring trees should be shortened ; and should it ap- 

 pear advisable, one or two of the lower branches may 

 be amputated. This can always be done without 

 injury to the tree, and has the advantage of increasing 

 the length of the trunk and stimulating the growth of 

 the top of the tree. A tree is never so old that 

 pruning, if practised with judgment and skill, cannot 

 prolong its life and increase its value. 



" The restoration of an old oak may be cited ia this 

 connection. This tree (fig. 11, p. 267), which stood in 

 a hedgerow, was probably two hundred years old, and 

 had suffered terribly from neglect and mutilation. The 

 lower portion of the trunk was covered with the dead 

 stumps of branches, their numerous protuberances 

 being filled with cavities and bristling with vigorous 

 shoots. The top had begun to decay, and the tree 

 seemed destined to speedy death. In pruning this 

 tree (see fig. 12) it became necessary to make, in the 



