Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 293, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 December 1916 — THE PROPER CARE OF TREES [ARTICLE]

THE PROPER CARE OF TREES

Th® greatest service that could be rendered to the American people today, would be to Impress them with the Importance of not only planting trees, but caring for those that are left from the once glorious forests. We can now see plainly that one of our greatest inheritances was the forest wealth, so valuable, so indispensable to the development of our country. Nothing has done more for the destruction of the woodlands than man himself. The insects have not done one thousandth part the damage that man has done. Cutting the trees has not only destroyed the forests, but also dried up the streams, and changed the climatic conditions. Also the damage done by tree trimmers, but in reality tree destroyers, can not be estimated. The only excuse that can be offered for the bad work done in the past is ignorance. The time is at hand when there should be good ■'and efficient wbrk done all along the line. >-■ Trees, like animals, will have their life shortened if allowed to become sick and diseased or crippled. Every time a live limb is cut there is an interference with both the 'circulation and, the respiration. The structure of the ''tree must be understood and wounds properly cared for. The common practice of cutting large limbs 3 to 6 inches from the body of the main trunk, is a bad one, because drouth soon sets in, the bark peels off from the stub, and the stub soon rots and leaves a hole in which water collects. The rotting process soon extends to the main stem. The proper place to cut a limb, is close to the trunk of the tree or the shoulder of the stem. In case of a very large limb there should be two cuts made, one some distance from the trunk so that the limb will not split off near the trunk and leave a bad scar. The weight may also be taken from the limb by cutting some of the brush from the end of limb. Large portions of trees can be taken off but the wounds must be watched and kept well painted. Any paint will do. The paint and oil close the pores of the wound or rather of the wood, keep out moisture, Insects and the fungi until nature can close it with a new growth. In trimming, a serious mistake is often made in the way the trees are headed (back. Not many trees can stand the process of heading back their tops. Unless a dwarf tree is desired and it is un< rstood beforehand that the tree belongs to the class that can stand heading back and still live, it is best not to t< > the trees. Nature does not form th< e beautiful healthgiving tops of shade trees to be cut to (ieces, notwitbsi tiding some tree trimmer needs a job. Trees are often cut off at the top by telephone, tele raph or electric light employes, to enable them to string their wires lon/g the street or road. While this s often necessary yet, in many case? It has not been necessary at all. If the trees need cutting they Should be cut in such a way as that their beauty and usefulness is not destroyed. It is generally understood that the spread of the roots of a tree is equal to the spread of he branches, and that the feed roots unjust to the drip of the outer brant heg. The roots of the trees are trim! ted back but once and that is at the > mp of planting. In getting the young from the nursery you should i isigt upon getting good healthy stock, with straight leaders, untrimined. Th n|you can do your own trimming or > utting after the tree is in the gro nd. The lower branches are to be trimmed first with shade trees. On f trees some of the lower branches ane left so as not to bring the fruit ton far from the ground. In prunin : dr trimming the lower branches, ca e should be taken not to have two >r .three branches close together up and down on «the trunk. If that is tl 3 ease bad crotchets will be formed may cause the tree to split an I become a wreck. “Give fools their gold and knaves their power Let fortune’s b ibUles rise and fall; Who sows a fie d or trains a flower. Or plants a tree s Snore than all; For he who bles esp most is* best. And God and in: a ishall own his worth. Who tolls to lea? 9 f s his bequest An added beauty t* the earth.” —C. H. Goetz.

Noncon nut tai.

( A Sunday Tschool te<cher, after conducting a lesson a the story of "Jacob’s Ladder” oilcluded by saying: "Now, is ther little boy or girl who would liM t< ask a question about the lesson?”' . Little Susie 100 ed puzzled for a moment, and then aiged her hand* •A question, Si asked the teacher. "I would like to knew,” said Susie, “if the angels have wings, why did they have to climb u® the ladder?" The teacher thoigM for some moments, and then, looking about the class, asked: “Is there any lit le boy who would like to answer Su da’s question?" No man ever rea'izeg how attractive his home is until 1 e gets a rpal estate dealer to sell It and wads the dee* eriptoto.