1905.3 



Hedgerow Timber. 



135 



or at the first periodic fall of timber which takes place, and 

 only the best type of tree encouraged or allowed to grow to 

 maturity. As soon as individual trees have reached a height 

 of 30 ft. or so the pruning off of low side branches should begin, 

 and be continued periodically until the boles are bare for at 

 least 20 ft. from the ground, while all wide-spreading branches 

 above that height should be shortened back. The branches 

 removed from the bole should be sawn or cut neatly off close 

 to the main stem, and if more than 3 in. in diameter should 

 be dressed with coal tar, but with smaller branches the extra 

 trouble and expense of dressing is rarely justified, unless the 

 pruning and dressing are combined in one operation. But if 

 pruned early enough, the pole-saw or pruning chisel will usually 

 do all that is necessary, and at little expense. Neglected until 

 the branches are large, however, pruning becomes a costly 

 operation and one tending to blemish the timber. The system 

 of pruning elms which prevails in the Home Counties, and 

 consists of taking off all branches but a tuft on the top, is also 

 objectionable, as it spoils the appearance of the trees and checks 

 the growth of timber. It is said to have originated in the days 

 when elm boles were largely used for water-pipes, to produce 

 which pruning in this manner was a necessity. Judicious pruning 

 both improves the quality of the timber and allows sufficient light 

 to reach the ground below to enable an ordinary hedge to be 

 maintained in health and vigour, although the most frequent 

 complaint usually made against hedgerow timber is that it 

 destroys the hedges. On poor ground, no doubt, hedges are 

 seldom strong in any case, and any reduction of light or plant 

 food tends to weaken them still more. But on good soils, and 

 with timber and hedges managed in the right way, both will 

 succeed on the same ground. 



The chief point about the treatment of hedges under trees is 

 the method of cutting. It will usually be found that when they 

 are either allowed to grow rough for four or five years, and then 

 cut hard back, or when cut and laid periodically, the hedges are 

 maintained in better health and are more capable of resisting 

 stock than when cut or trimmed annually. Annual cutting also 

 prevents suckers from getting away, as they cannot be distin- 

 guished from hedge shoots, and are invariably cut off. But cut 



