The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-15

when your trees are SICK do you call in the doctor?
 Do you know that some of your trees are worth more than the average fine car riage horse? I know some property own CTS In Birmingham who would not part with choice oak, magnolia or other good shade tree on the premises for thousands of dollars.
 When that tree gets sck-and it will get sick just like a horse or your child-the owner wants a doctor and ought to have a doctor.
 Yes, there are tree doctors They are called sometimes dendrologists. Some Of them call themselves scientific tree sur geors."
 The science is one mainly of surgery, though in some cases the disease calls for the practice of medicine. tree suffering, for instance from
 nalnutrition must have careful nursing
 and skilled treatment. Food must be
 Fl riovided for the tree that is not only utritious but artificial means must be adopted to apply the food through the
 DIG per digestive channels.
 Malnutrition has about the same effect
 on tree or plant that the same trouble
 has on the human system and the treat ment is very much the same.
 Case of Cancer inspected case of caricer in mag
 nificent magnolia tree in the yard Of w. L. Woodruff at No. 1911 Huntsville ave nue. The tree is being treated by L. W. Wright, tree surgeon of experience and manager of the Magic City Forestry com- pany of Birmingham. This tree has well developed case would result in about five years. The disease is making rapid inroads on the trunk and limbs of the tree. Tree Is Frozen The story of the case is interesting. On Sunday morning, February 12, 1899, Birmingham and this section suffered a severe freeze following an unusual warm winter. Buds were putting out and the sap was we'll advanced in vegetation. The trunk and limbs of this tree were frozen. The thermometer stood 14 degrees below zero. When the thaw came the trunk of this magnolia burst just as a frozen pipe will. But the plumber could do no good in this case.
 The wound made an effort to heal.
 but the opening was not protected and germs got in, infecting the sap and fiber. called In few days ago the patient was found to be in a most critical condition. Now, the treatment is interesting. All the cancerous part of the tree is carefully removed from the base of the tree to the tip of every infected limb. Tho cavity Is treated to antlseptic prep al atons and then the cavity is filled with cement in such a way that the wood in healing up will entirely cover the old wounds.
 pr" Wright talks of his patients pret-
 human physician discusses his cases. Talking of his work yesterday he said Mir. Wright Talks "'Tree surgery is the science of trim irg, treating and caring for trees.
 Starting at the beginning of the tree
 business the first thing is pruning; prun-
 ing is done with three objects in view, i. e:
 ''1. To remove dead branches.
 '2. Removal of live branches for the
 purpose of improving the contour of the tree and to relieve encroachment on
 neighboring trees.
 "3 To head in, or shorten limbs for the purpose of stimulating and producing rev top growth.
 Ut Is very important that all wounds or cuts made on tree when pruned for
 any purpose should be treated so as to
 cause it to properly and quickly heal.
 Tc do this every particle of the exposed
 wood should be treated with good anti septic paint which will prevent decay.
 "An unprotected wound allows germs
 and microbes to enter and attach the sweet, fermentable sap. and this hastens
 decay which could be prevented by proper treatment
 "All limbs to be removed should be cut
 as close to the trunk of the tree or point
 of origin as possible to Insure not only rapid healing but also a smooth, shapely
 trunk; under no circumstances should