CHAPTER X 



THE REPAIR AND REPLACING OF TREES 



THE REPAIR OF TREES 



If trees were planted and maintained under ideal condi- 

 tions and were not subject to injuries or diseases they would 

 continue in good condition and health to a very old age. But 

 these conditions are not possible among a community of 

 trees any more than among a community of human beings. 



Natural enemies such as windstorms, insect pests, and 

 fungous diseases, failure of placing guards around trees to 

 protect them from horse-bites, the leaving of short stumps 

 in pruning, abrasions caused by overhead wires and general 

 neglect cause serious damage to city trees. Although slight 

 at first such injuries, when left unattended at the time of 

 occurrence, are frequently the first cause of the decay and 

 death of valuable trees. 



The preservation of grown trees in a city is sometimes 

 of greater importance than setting out new ones. The 

 repair of trees or tree surgery forms one of the chief and 

 most necessary tasks in the care of shade-trees. 



Abrasion of Bark. — One of the simplest cases requiring 

 treatment is a body wound on a tree caused by the abrasion 

 or stripping of the bark. In such cases the thing to do is 

 to cut away with a sharp knife all loose, ragged, or injured 

 bark as far as the injury extends. Bark once loosened 

 can never attach itself to the trunk again. When left 

 on the tree it soon dries and decays and forms a shelter for 



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