The Yale expositor., 1909-12-03


culture of ornamental
trees and shrubs. At
tempts to cultivate new varieties or
old varieties In new conditions ana
situations, and frequently by persons
unfamiliar with the specific require
ments of trees and shrubs, have too
often resulted only in the production
of short-lived and diseased specimens.
Furthermore, several parasitic diseases
of a serious nature have recently ap-
peared; and it is therefore not sur
prising that many inquiries are re-
ceived by the bureau of plant indus
try regarding ornamental trees that
are supposedly diseased. What all
correspondents desire to know is:
What is the matter with the tree or
shrub in question and how can it be
cured? Often no satisfactory an
swers can be given. Trees are par
ticularly subject to troubles which are
wholly due to abnormal conditions in
their immediate surroundings and
which call for actual inspection of
tree and surroundings in order to
diagnose the case. Or there often is
no cure in the nature of the case; for
example, there is no cure for old age.
The most widespread cause of dis
ease of trees and shrubs is the at
tempt to grow them in climate and
situation for which the given species
are not adapted For example, such
evergreens as the English yew, Scotch
pine, and Irish juniper have, for senti-
mental reasons and in accordance
with horticultural tradition, been
planted extensively in the eastern
states. Unless in favorable situations
and having exceptional care they are
short lived, ragged, and susceptible to
many diseases. There is essentially
no need for the cultivation of such
imported varieties, as in general the
same effects may be obtained with
native varieties or with varieties i'm
ported from regions of similar climate.
If such trees are planted (and to
those named may be added at least
the Austrian pine. the silver fir, and
the Norway spruce), it should be with
tho understanding that they must re-
Give extra care.
In controlling diseases of orna-
rcntals. the expense of the method
employed is. within reason, no object
con pared with effectiveness. A fine
shade tree may. on account of its stu
alton and associations, be worth
many hundreds of dollars to it's own
er II such n tree is diseased it is OBJ
vious that almost any measures may
be Tesorted to, no matter how costly
or time consuming, if they offer hope
of cure. On the other hand, it should
be remembered that at the present
time the moving of large trees is, in
expert hands. perfectly practicable
procedure, and no owner who is will
ing to incur reasonable expense needs
to wait for a tree to grow in order to
replace an old one or to shade
newly-built house
Tree dentistry is new thing for
Bangor, Me.
For the first time in the history of
the city it's magnificent trees, which
are it's crowning glory in the sum-
mer, are being treated according to
the latest ideas of modern forestry
and their growth stimulated and de-
cay checked by force of expert for
esters under the direction Of Messrs
Appleton and viles Mr.. Appleton is
the city forester. The work is being
done by Massachusetts, experts.
The foreman is Alex Urquhart Of
Maiden, and most of his assistants
are from Maiden.
"The most important and by far
the most expensive of the work we
are doing is similar to the work of
the dentist on a person-we are fill
ing the cavities with cement and MAX
ing the tree as good as new" said
Mr. Urquhart Look at this filling
here" said he. placing his hand
against a beautiful elm.
1--WE excavated the decay from this
great hole and put in filing at least
eight feet long. IL extends for a foot
below the surface of the ground and
about as far above the edges of the
opening, to afford good hold for the
solid body of cement which is placed
in t. with every care, and held by
frequent nails driven into the live
wood, to prevent its pulling away
from the wood till the bark begins to
inclose il. So fast does the tree re
cover when II is given a chance that
in four years from now that cement
will be covered completely over, and
in few years more only long seam
win show where the bark has joined
together and made the tree whole
tree once again. The, elm grows to
great age, from 300 to 400 years be-