TREES AS GOOD CITIZENS 
148 
be upon that part of the branch which is to be removed; if 
applied to the part which is to remain, bruising and injury- 
will result. Some shears cut with a sliding motion of the 
blade, resembling the motion of a knife, instead of with 
the crushing movement of ordinary shears. The purpose 
of this arrangement is to prevent injury to bark or 
surface. 
A pole pruner is useful as the tree gains height. This is 
mounted at the end of a pole 10 or 12 feet in length, 
or longer as needed. The cutting is done by operating 
the knife by means of a rope, while the workman stands 
on the ground. A spring serves to bring the blade back 
into position after a cut has been made, so that the blade 
is ready for another cut. This implement is useful for 
removing small branches and shoots. Of a similar nature 
is the useful pruning hook, mounted near the end of a pole. 
The curved cutting edge is on the under side of the hook, 
and the implement is used by pulling this blade downward 
over the branch or twig to be severed. At the end of the 
pole is a chisel, to be used with upward stroke and pres¬ 
sure. This chisel is convex, to prevent slipping. A 
pruning saw on the edge of a pole is also useful. Great 
care must be exercised in the use of the pole instruments 
to avoid letting them strike limbs or trunk, as serious 
wounds may result from such blows. 
For the removal of large limbs a pruning saw must be 
used. Saws for this purpose have spreading teeth, to make 
a wide cut. The ordinary saw makes a narrow groove, 
and lets the green wood bind the blade to an extent which 
makes sawing difficult. An ax should not be used for 
pruning. 
