, 1924-05-07

year to prune trees and Cody will
reflect a much more beautiful ap-
pearance if the work is carried on
at this time over the entire city.
Trim your trees before the growth
starts this spring; use sharp tools.
cut through living wood. cut few
or no limbs over w inches in d.
ameter and cover wounds with some
good preventative, are some of the
suggestions which have been made
Shy authorities on tree culture. Make
the cuts slanting, as close to the
limb or larger trunk as possible, is
the advice to those who do not know.
The trimming season of the year
is here. Many of Cody's trees need
trimming. They are often trimmed
thoughtlessly, as numerous ugly
stubs show. 1t is very little trouble
to train a tree into a good shape by
using the pruning knife while the
limbs are small, but difficult to re-
form a tree after 1t has grown to
maturity. although by careful treat
ment 1t may often be improved.
One who understands tree growth
can frequently reshape the tops of
a neglected tree to advantage.
Hurt by Severe Pruning
More mature trees have been hurt
by e. pruning than has been
helped. Dead or dying wood should
always be removed whenever it is
found, no matter what the age of
the tree. This should be done by
~ A. 1.L - 81 kh@
nearest healthy crotch. A limb
should not be cut squarely across at
a distance from a fork unless the
tree is apparently in a dying con-
dition and the greater part Of the
top is treated thus in an attempt
to prolong its life.
"In such cases a second pruning
should follow within two years, at
which time the stubs left at the
first trimming should be cut off at
an angle near the newly started
limbs. However, aged cottonwoods
had better be removed and new
ones started rather thar to attempt
such drastic pruning as have often
been done when the whole top has
been removed since this usually re-
suits in decay or death through dy-
ing and shrinking of the wood from
the bark. 1t is a safe policy in
pruning to follow the general plan
of seldom cutting live limbs yer
two inches in diameter.
Trees that have been neglected
a long time, or poorly trimmed
when young, frequently have inter-
fering or crossing branches. Such
defects may be at least partially
remedied. The removal of limbs
by cutting them off at the crotch
in such a manner that the wound is
parallel with the remaining branch
does the least possible damage. In
the case of large branches particular
j.. care should be given in their remov-
al to prevent the tearing down of a
strip of bark and wood below the
cut which results when a heavy
limb breaks off when cut nearly
through.
"a wound caused in this way pre-
vents the knot from healing over
so that it is usually simply a matter
of time until the tree will decay
from this point and be seriously
injured of not destroyed. This is
easily prevented by making an I'M
dercut a few inches out on the
heavy limb. Then the cut close to
the trunk can be made from above.
When this cut reaches a depth to
match the under cut the space be-
tween splits out by the weight of
the branches and the limb falls.
The cut from above can then be
completed without danger.
Wounds Will Heal
"Such a wound in a healthy tree
white lead or good paint to keep
out insects and disease will nearly
always heal properly. The cut
should be made through the slight
collar or ring that is nearly always
at the base of the branch. The
closer this cut can be made to the
trunk the better the appearance
when the cut is healed.
These operations r entirely
different in purpose and result from
the heading in or heading back
so often practiced under the guise
of tree pruning either from the false
notion of forming a top, for passing
of wires. or for prevention of break
g If the last is the purpose it
would be far better to cut the tree
to the ground or, if the retention
of a tree is necessary. trim lightly
and take care of accidental break
~ as it occurs
Changing the form of a tree rad
ically by pruning should not be at
temnfad Each Snacias has its OWL