The Intricacies of 
T 
Tree Surgery 
HE photographs here reproduced depict the skill- 
ful surgical treatment of a European Linden of 
unusual size and beauty. The tree is first illus- 
trated in full leaf, as it graces the lawn in front of the 
mansion of one of the country estates on the New York 
shore of Long Island Sound ; the position of the tree 
making it of special value as an attractive landscape 
feature. 
The second illustration shows the trunk of the tree 
which is divided into three main branches at sharp angles. 
These branches form what is frequently referred to as 
"the fatal V-shape crotch." Such a tree is generally re- 
garded as structurally weak and sooner or later these 
crotches will split. The crack is at first small, but when 
water gets into it decay sets in. Nature will do the best 
she can and may heal the split on the outside, but the 
decay, once started, continues on the inside. Another 
windstorm splits the crotch a little further — it heals — the 
A View of the Tree From Underneath Its Foliage. 
cay. Its condition, unknown and unsuspected by the 
owner, was such that any severe storm might have 
easily torn the tree apart. It required considerable 
skill to cut into the trunk and accomplish the necessary 
result without fatal injury to the tree. 
The fourth illustration shows even more clearly how 
serious the condition of the tree really was and how far 
it was necessary to go to do the work perfectly — for tree 
This Beautiful European Linden Stands as a Landmark on the 
Shores of Long Island at Mamaroneck, N. Y. 
decay continues — and it splits again. This process con- 
tinues until the tree becomes so weak that it cannot 
longer stand the strain. This beautiful Linden here illus- 
trated, structurally weak by nature, has been splitting, 
healing, and decaying for a number of years. The bulge 
and seam apparent down the side of the trunk clearly 
indicates this. 
The third illustration shows the decayed crotch partly 
opened up and revealing the serious plight of the tree. 
The trunk was little more than a shell, most of its 
structural strength having been consumed by the de- 
The photographs are reproduced through courtesey of the Davey Tree Showing the Decayed Condition of the Tree. After the Surgeons 
Expert Co. Cut Into Its Trunk. 
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