Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-09-20

Trees.
Tree pruning is = subject that
has been much discussed, and in
regard to which there are various
opinions; some even cOntending
that trees should never be pruncd mt
all. In the present case this will be
considered only in relation to forest
culture, without reference to am
ateur or ornamental cultivation.
And here it may be promised, that
in this rs in other matters relating
to tree growing, whatever rules may
be given, the exercise Of Judgment
and common sense is absolutely
necessary, and must be employed in
varying the practice to meet the
circumstances of the case.
In pruning young trees, designed
for timber, tho symmetry of their
form is the first consideration.
When taken from the seed-bed all
side branches should be cut of.
Subsequently, an annual examina-
ton will be required to see that they
grow in proper shape. Only one
leading shoot should be allowed,
which must not be permitted to
fork. All side branches which ap-
proach in size and vigor to the lead
ing shoot, should be shortened or
cut out entirely. The black wal
nut, butternut, tulip tree, and chest
nut are apt to throw out large side
branches which take too much from
the growth of the leading shoot.
Suckers from the root of the tree
should be cut away. Where suck
ers are thrown out in consequence
of the stem Of the tree being UNI
thrifty or injured, the latter may be
cut of, and one Of the suckers allow
ed to take its place. In close plan
tations the trees may be trimmed
up, two-thirds Of their height, but
too many branches should not be
taken off at once. Some kinds Of
trees require but little pruning. If
properly treated while small, they
will require less attention, in this
respect, as they grow larger; and
when they interlock, and their
stems are thickly shaded, they will
need little if any pruning. 1t should
always be borne in mind that the
main object in pruning forest trees
is to give proper direction to their
growth. In an artificial plantation,
properly managed, a great majority
Of the trees will be of value for tim
Der; in natural forest the reverse
is usually the case; the greater part
being fit only for firewood.
The best time to prune, is in my
opinion, the autumn after the trees
have ceased their growth. Where
branches are taken off at this sea-
son, the wood hardens, and the
wounds heal without decay. They
may not heal as speedily as when
the pruning is done in the growing
season, but they heal better, which
is, perhaps, more important. Side
branches making too rapid growth
should be checked by clipping their
ends during the summer; but any
considerable amount of pruning at
that season retards the growth of
the trees. The worst time to prunc
is the latter part of winter, and in
spring just before or during the
first flow Of sap. Trees pruned at
this time bleed more or less; the
wounds do not heal readily, and the
wood, saturated with sap, is apt to
decay. Nevertheless, when trees
are transplanted in spring they
may be pruned, as they do not bleed
when recently taken up.
When the young trees become
large enough to crowd, or materially
check each other in growth, they
must be thinned at one foot apart
in the rows. Oaks and hickorics
will grow to u proper size for hoop
poles before they need thinning.
When Of this size they may be thin
ned SO as to leave the remaining
ones two feet apart. Care should
be taken to leave the straightest and
most vigorous trees. The thinning
may be continued gradually as the
trees grow larger, and those cut out
used for purposes to which their
size and quality are adapted. The
number Of trees which grow to ma
turity upon an acre, is from three
hundred to four hundred. Larches,
pines and spruces can be more
thickly grown than most deciduous
trees.-Brydnt's Forest Trees.