The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1897-11-27
RENEWING OLD TREES
intelligent Pruning VIII Produce Al
most Wonderful Results


Old trees are among the most cher:
lshed treasures of rural and suburban
homes. They are the most costly, too.
as every finished product is costly into
which has entered those transforming
ana creative processes which only long
reaches of time can furnish. An old
house may fall down or be destroyed by
ilre, and while we mourn the loss of the
visible sign of old associations. better
and more beautiful structure can be
made to take its place. But when an old
tree that has been the guardian of the
nome for generations, and stood there
before the home was founded, surren-
Gers to the blast, the loss is beyond re-
pair. for long time, at least. AS there
is no immediate remedy possible, the
need OF precaution becomes all the
greater.
When one of these old sentinels be-
gins to show signs of disease and decay.
and year by year grows more attenuated
in its branches and weaker in leaf
growth and power, we watch it as we
watch friend attacked by slow, but
incurable malady. But remedies are
row being discovered for almost every
i'll of the body, and successful tree
surgery is or may be as common as the
higher form of that science. a recent
number of Garden and Forest discusses
the rejuvenescence of old trees. and
gives practical directions for effecting
it, Directly to the point are two illus
trations of the same tree, venerable
oak in the Arnold Arboretum. The first
! is of tree with far-reaching branches,
but marked by infallible signs of de-
crepitude, (the LEAKAGE scanty and the
general prospect of life discouraging.
The second illustration shows the
same tree 10 years later, shorter of limb
il is true, but displaying vigor in every
leaf and fiber, and exhibiting every
characteristic of youth and strength
and hopeful promise of longevity. Nc
miracle, not even one of natures, has
been performed. The result is simly
one of skllful tree surgery, of intelli.
gent pruning according to the De Car
system. which. instead of sending the
tree blood long distances through col
lapsed and withered arteries, contract
the area and applies the nourishing
forces in such way that they can b,
assimilated and made to promote tn,
growth of all the members.
The process is one which almost any
| intelligent farmer or tree owner should
be able to apply. "Nigor can be re
stored 10 tree in this condition 10y
shortening all its branches by one-thirt
or one-half their entire length. Tn,
only care needed in this operation is tC
cut back each main branch to healthy
lateral branch. which will serve to at
tract and elaborate by means of it,
leaves a sufficient flow of sap to insur,
the growth of the branch" These di
rectons must be carefully observed tt
prevent further decay. and care mus
also be taken TO leave the lowest limbs
the longest, so that the greatest possible
leaf surface shall be exposed to th'
light. So if some old tree, near roadside
or dwelling. that has been tho Landmark
OF century. shows alarming symptoms
the owner should not despair before h
has treated it according TO the gen
cral plan here laid down.-Boston Tran
script.