CONTROL OF THE CHESTNUT BARK DISEASE. 21 
trees are a continual source of further infection, and, moreover, large 
areas of dead chestnut trees, by harboring bark and wood inhabit- 
ing insects, are likely to start some insect epidemic. Indeed, with the 
quantity of dead chestnut timber now standing it will be remarkable 
if some serious infestation of insects extending to sound trees does 
not follow. 
Owners of chestnut woodland outside the area of general infection 
are counseled to watch for the first appearance of the disease, and 
when it appears to cut down immediately all affected trees, bark 
them, and burn the bark and brush, over the stump if practicable. 
Such procedure will distinctly retard the spread of the disease in 
that particular woodland, even if no concerted efforts at elimination 
are made by neighboring owners. It is to be expected, however, that 
in all cases of this kind the owner will have the cooperation of the 
State authorities in a general quarantine movement. 
It is almost needless to add that until we know what action is to 
be taken in all the chestnut-growing States and what the results are 
likely to be, chestnut woodland is a poor investment. Furthermore, 
in forest management, as in improvement cuttings, etc., there should 
be discrimination against the chestnut. 
ADVICE TO OWNERS OF ORNAMENTAL CHESTNUT TREES. 
Until the future of the chestnut tree is better known, or at least 
until we know what legalized action is going to be taken in the 
States concerned, the owners of chestnut-timbered land available for 
building should pursue a very conservative policy. Houses should 
not be located with sole reference to chestnut groves or to isolated 
ornamental chestnut trees. Houses so located should be discrimi- 
nated against in purchasing homes in so far as the death of the 
chestnut trees would injure the appearance of the place. 
When ornamental trees become diseased they had better be cut 
down at once and, if practicable, large trees of other species moved 
in to take their places. In expert hands the moving of large trees is 
a perfectly practicable and successful procedure and, although more 
expensive, is much more satisfactory than waiting for nursery trees 
to grow.* 
All owners of diseased ornamental chestnut trees are specifically 
warned against “fake” tree doctors. Large sums of money have 
been paid out in many cases for treatment that has been worse than 
useless. Reliable tree specialists will have nothing to do with trees 
affected with the chestnut bark’ disease, or, if they do anything, do it 
with the distinct understanding in advance that it is entirely at the 
porary, acente effet ean be obtained by topping of the ands of the larger Dranehes of the 
dead and dying chestnut trees, removing the bark, and planting some rapid-growing vine at 
their foot, which soon covers them. One of the best for this purpose is the Japanese kudzu 
vine (Pueraria thunbergiana (S. and Z.) (Benth.), on account of its extraordinarily ae ibe 
growth. Such vine-covered stumps must be carefully watched, however, for in a very few 
years they decay and are liable to be blown over. 
467 
