202 



PT. IV. 



Healing WJieii a liviiis; branch is cut off a vifyoroiis tree 



over an ° 



branch close to the stcm, new growth, both of wood and of 

 bark, is gradually and annually deposited over the end 

 of it. This new twin growth begins as the tree ceases 

 to shoot. About June the bark may be observed to 

 separate from the wood, and tlie granulations of tliis 

 new growth may be seen between them ; it proceeds in 

 a semicircular form on the top and sides of the scar, 

 till the growth from one side meets the growth from 

 the other side at the lower part of the scar ; the growth 

 then proceeds towards the centre of the circle, and as 

 the new annual growth both of wood and bark is de- 

 posited on the top as w^ell as the sides of this circular 

 wave of grow^th, the level of the top of the wave keeps 

 pace with the level of the annually increasing girthing 

 of the tree, and when the ring; closes in the centre no 

 indentation is left; and each succeeding year the new 

 annual ring of wood and of bark is deposited over 

 where the branch was, with as much regularity as on 

 any other part of the stem, nor is any distortion of the 

 grain of the wood or diversion of the current of the sap 

 occasioned after the healing is completed. The end of 

 the branch will die and dry in, possibly to the extent 

 of the cross-grain occasioned by it, and a very slight 

 and inconsiderable flaw will remain in the timber 

 where the living wood is deposited on this dead surface ; 

 this flaw will be no greater than that occasioned by 

 a small piece of bark being accidentally knocked oflf a 

 tree. 



