The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-08-04
RELIABLE MEN
DEMANDED FOR
TREE SURGERY
Department of Agriculture
Mage Suggestions for I'm
proyement.

WASHINGTON. D. c., Aug. A.
cavity in decayed tree is something
like cavity in decayed tooth. II
an unreliable tree surgeon who has
been called in to save the tree only
partially removes the diseased part of
the wood, uses no antiseptic coatings
In the cavity and fills 1t up with ce-
ment the tree is no more cured than
is person whose decayed tooth has
not been properly filed by dentist.
The only difference is that after the
tree cavity has been covered, If the
work has not been properly done. the
tree has no way of making its trou-
BILE known except by further decay.
Increased Demand.
Within the last decade there has
been a great increase in demand for
surgeons to repair decaying shade
trees. but the possibilities of practic-
ing fraud in this profession like the
Instance just cited have tempted so
many unreliable people to dabble in
the science that tree surgery has fall
Ell. somewhat into disrepute. The
United States Department of Agricul-
ture realizes that commercial tree
surgery should occupy high place
In the estimation of the public, and
has recently issued pamphlet enti-
tied Practical Tree Surgery" where
in suggestions are made for improve
llrent along these lines.
AS in all professions, there are re-
liable and unreliable men and Arms
competing for contracts in tree sur
gerry. In recent years so many oc-
casions have arisen when property
owners felt the necessity of calling in
commercial tree surgeons to attend to
their trees that there are now num-
erous firms, both honest and dishon-
est. engaged in the work. Usually
tree surgery is practiced in connec-
ton with some nearly related line
but often 1t is taken up as business
o! itself. When blight such as the
chestnut bark disease, infects the
trees of district, the community. or
individuals In it, will often spend con-
siderable money to control ravages
which may rob the whole district OF
its trees. An affection like the
chestnut bark disease to know whetE'
| er an affected tree should be destroy
/ ed at once or is worth treating. y
requires scientific training TO under.
stand the manner OF growth Of the
fungi causing the disease and what
! treatment is best.
Many individuals who have hat
faith in tree surgery have lost Il
through following the advice of unre
liable tree surgeons who CLAIMED Il
be able to diagnose a case, bu
whose main interest was to collect
80 e., t1,A;,
Misuse of Hooks.
Besides the careless filling of de
cayed cavities in trees, there ar.
other practices Of certain so-callet
"tree-surgeons' that do the tree
more harm than good. Many o
these surgeons" as we'll as the peo
pie who employ them, 10 not realiz
the danger arising from fresh inju
ries to a tree. The tree owne
should realize that prompt attend
ance to fresh injuries will largely d.
away with the need of tree surger.
IS or 20 years hence. The tree sur
geons must realize that If they max
fresh injuries in the living bark
when treating decayed portions, the.
are laying the tree open to more dan
gers OF infection that will result II
further decay.
Just as a person is subject to in
lection through cuts and scratches
trees are rendered subject to infec
tion by having their living bark torn
Notwithstanding this. many tre
surgeons use pruning hooks an
climbing spurs and cut fresh gashe
IN the tree. To break off small dea'
branches workman may use a lon
pruning hook as though 1t were
club. In doing SO the hook usual
causes injury to the young bark near
by. Every new wound may furnis
new point Of entrance for deca!
ever though the old dead branch ma.
have heen removed.
The use of climbing spurs shout
be particularly avoided on trees 1
; vicinities where there is ccntag.ou
infection. They simply render tn