Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-08-03
Tree SURGERY AS A SCIENCE
MORE APPRECIAT ED-REL|AbLE
MEN DEMANDED FOR THE WORK

off small dead branches workman
may use long pruning hook as though
it were a club. In doing so the hook
usually causes injury to the young
bark near by. Every new wound may
furnish a new point of entrance for
decay, even though the old dead branch
may have been removed
The use of climbing spurs should be
particularly avoided on trees in viein-
tiles where there is a contagious in
lection. They simply render the treat
ed tree all the more liable to catch the
disease which is lin the air.
All properly equipped firms of COM
merCial surgeons should have ladders
that would reach 40 or more feet into
n tree. Ladders, ropes, and rubber
sbled shoes will allow a man to reach
practically every part. Reliable esti-
mates indicate that it takes somewhat
longer (perhaps Is per cent on an av-
eragc) to do work on a tree when
these are used instead of climbing
spurs, and this is one reason why
many firms who value remuneration
more than reputation use the spurs.
To Minimize Unreiiability.
The L. s. Department of Agricul-
ture is suggesting a plan that may
help put commercial tree surgery Oh a
better basis. Owners are urged to
have a definite written contract with
the tree surgeons they employ, and the
following is suggested as a model for
such contract
Q) No climbing spurs shall be used
on any part of tree.
CD The shoes worn by the workmen
shall have soft rubber bottoms.
CD Ordinary commercial orange shell
lac shall be applied to cover the cut
edges of the sapwood and cambium
(Which is the soft formative tissue
from which the new wood and bark
originatel within five minutes after
the final trimming cut is made
(D All cut or shellaced surfaces shall
be painted with commercial creosote,
followed by thick coal tar.
go All diseased, rotten discolored,
water soaked, or insect-eaten wood
shall be removed in cavity work and
the cavity inspected by the owner or
his agent before it is filed.
go only IL good grade of Portland
cement and clean, sharp sand in no
weaker mixture than l to shall be
used to fill cavities.
% The contractor shall repair free
of expense any defects that may ap-
pear in the work within one year
If the owner prefers to have a cavity
filed with asphalt or other material
instead of cement, the contract can be
altered accordingly. If it is desirable
to substitute some other preparation
for sheIlac, this can be done. SINH
larry, under certain conditions, vari-
GUS other notifications may be made
although alterations in Nos. l, ., 5, and
should he made with caution. 1t may
so happen that If all insect eaten wood
is removed, the tree may be danger
ously weakened: under such conditions
the diseased matter can be removed tC
solid Woed and the cavity -fumigated
Other suggestions along these lines
may be found in the pamphlet issued
by the Department.
Invitation to Co. operate.
The Department realizes that this
science is comparatively new enc
that methods i'll the near future may
be developed that will prove far supe-
rior to some now in common use. II
therefore invites correspondence either
from individuals or firms concerning
new methods of treatment and is pre-
pared to advise regarding any partie-
uiar method so far as experimental re-
suits will permit. The cooperation OF
all who are interested is necessary fol-
this work. All interested are urged to
nj Ia fnY kt,Jl