132 



SHADE-TREES IN TOWNS AND CITIES 



rings of the belt. A rope, when necessary, can also be 

 attached to one of the rings. 



A small, one-handed axe is used to remove sprouts, 

 suckers, and dead twigs and small branches. A pole-saw is 

 used on the end of long branches. A combination chisel and 

 hook. Fig. 26, on a long pole, can be used to pull down dead 

 limbs at the tops of trees, and also to remove suckers and 

 sprouts. It is operated either by a downward stroke of the 

 hook or an upward one of the chisel. 

 The cutting edge of the chisel is con- 

 cave, so that it does not glance off to 

 one side when striking a_branch. 



To shape the ends of the lower limbs 

 of trees and to remove small twigs up 

 to an inch in diameter, the pole-pruner 

 will be found an extremely efficient tool. 

 Of these tools, there are many on the 

 market ; but some of them fall to pieces 

 after a few hours' work. One of the 

 best pole-pruners made is the "Tele- 

 graph" tree-pruner shown in Plate 30, Fig. 1. It is best 

 to buy the pruner separately, and have a pole especially 

 made. This should be of straight grained spruce, two 

 inches in diameter and twelve or fourteen feet long. Plate 

 30, Fig. 2, shows the method of using it. It is operated by 

 means of a rope, and the spiral spring brings the knife into 

 position again for another cut. Extra knives and springs 

 can be bought, so that they can be easily replaced when 

 broken. The pruner will last through a summer's work in 

 good condition. 



Hand pruning-shears are useful for cutting back trees 

 when setting them out, and for pruning broken roots ; also 



Fig. 26.— Comtination 

 chisel and hook. 



