The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-30
SAVING OAKS BY SURGERY.
University of California Tree Experts
Use Cement to Arrest Dry Rot.

San Francisco Chronicle.
Tree surgeons are at work on the University of
California oaks. Those famous trees that almost
everybody In the world has read or heard about
submitting to rejuvenating process 1t
may not be as painful the surgery practiced
on human beings. but IT is doing a great deal o.
good. and the patient old oaks viii of
the ordeal revivifed and the better equipped to
withstand the Pacific winds. once in their
lives oak trees-the California kind that is
must be operated upon. Like human beings. as
they grow older. their vitality decreases. Their
withered limbs get more crusty and the dry rot
takes hold OF their trunks. In their young days.
say when they were about two hundred years
o.d-for the university oaks estimated to be
enough to shake off these manifestations of age
If the wind made wound in the trunk OF an
limb broke. it sent a new one to take it's place
But in the infirmity of old age the palsed tree
cannot longer cover up its injuries and Ii
stretches out its scraggy arms TO man. appeal
ing TO him for assistance in its distress
the dry rot This usually manifests itself at the
places on the trunk where the limbs have been
TO shield the wound the weather sets into it
and the wood rots away. Sometimes there will
suspected. II this Disease is not corrected it
will eat its way into the heart of the tree,
Prof. w. a Setchell. Of the botany depart
uent OF the university has been watching with
rot the trees.
In carrying out the instructions Superin-
tendent Bolton, chief surgeon, and the sur
| geons under him have been tendery sOlicitous
| for the fathers of the campus. In digging ont
4 the cavities and filling them with whole
some stuff they, have exercised the greatest care
not TO fhurt the tree, though there must be in
ward groans when the drills pierce too far
| Workers have proceeded by Kidding the trees OF
| all the dry rot, then disinfecting the exposed
places with coal tar and filling them with Cali
/ fornia cement The cement takes the place OF
the natural wood and enough is put into the
| cavity 60 bring IL 10 the edge OF the bark This
| leaves a surface over which the bark grows in
time, thus inclosing the cement. IL the cement
was filled 10 the brim OF the bark the bark
would be retarded in its growth and finally the
| tree would die The treatment OF the trees has
disclosed some strange things. Most curious Of
| these is an oak in which the letters &c r.
were cut years ago in the bark. This left the
| wood exposed to the weather, which In time
/ rotted deep. though IL not apparent until
| the operators began work upon ii. In few
| more years the tree would have died Various
are the tools used by the tree surgeons in prose
| cutting their labors. many OF them not unlike
| those used by surgeon. There are SCOOPS ana
| spoons and drills and all sorts OF Instruments
|, college blacksmith shop. For the cavities high
\ VI from the ground improvised chair is EN-
i ployed, In which the workman is hoisted to his
| work. The last Legislature made special ap-
| preparation for this work.