Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 64, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 March 1913 — Prune But Do Not “Top or Butcher” Tour Shade Trees. [ARTICLE]

Prune But Do Not “Top or Butcher” Tour Shade Trees.

/Shade trees should be cared for so as to preserve their natural form. This not only adds beauty but prolongs their life A vigorous and symmetrical tree Is inspiring and elevating, hot when the same tree is “topped,” it is shorn of its beauty and it merely excites one’s sympathy as would anything else that is 4 crippled or helpless. The ugly stubs made by “topping” a tree never heal over and decay, which much shortens the life of the tree hegins at once. ••• ••••-- ■ . • ■- ■> The pruning of shade trees should begin when they are planted. Practically all of the pruning should be confined to the removal of the lowest Branches until the top is about ten feet above the ground. If the terminal forks, one part of it should be cut off and so should branches in the crown that interfere with one another.

It is a grave mistake to permit a shade tree to head too low, as is common with the Norway Maple. When the head is low it obstructs the view, prevents a free circulation of the air and its shade prevents a growth 6t grass about the tree. These objections are usually not apparent until the branches are large and when their removal would destroy the symmetry of the tree and leave large wounds to start decay. ■ When a branch is removed the cut should be made smooth and'as close to the axis of support as possible. Never leave a stub, no matter if it is only a half of an inch long. A shade tree is so valuable that it is entitled to a careful pruning. Do the work correctly, even if it takes a little longer time. Branches that.are too heavy to he supported with" the hand should be removed by first sawing on the under side about ten inches from the base until the saw “tightens,” then saw on the top side a few inches farther from the base until the branch falls. Then remove the stub, which can be supported by the hand. This will prevent the branch from tearing off a great piece of the body of the tree, which is so frequently observed, when it falls. A book on how and when to prune shade trees can be obtained free by writing to the State Forester at Indianapolis, Ind.