Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 March 1918 — DON'T TOP THE SHADE TREES [ARTICLE]

DON'T TOP THE SHADE TREES

No difference how young or old a shade tree may be. it should be gone over each year and given such pruning as it may need. Ordinarily a shade tree needs but little pruning. A young tree should be pruned up until the lower branches are seven to ten feet above the ground. Species like the maple, with long horizontal branches, should be pruned up higher than the elm and sycamore, which hare ascending branches. In pruning np young trees, remove only a branch or two each year. Do not over prune and make the tree spindling. Remove all dead and dying branches 6 from any tree. If two branches rub each other, cut off one. Rarely is any other pruning needed. Small branches can be removed any time of the year without injury to the tree, but the removal of many small or large branches should be done while the trees have no leaves on them., Be careful to cut off branches flush with their sipport. In cutting off large branches, saw in on jibe under side about six inches from the support until the saw begins to pinch, then saw from the top side i a few inches farther out until the i branch breaks off. Then saw the I stub off flush with the support. Do not'paint wounds with ordinary paint or coal tar paint. If the j wound is treated, cover -it with j grafting wax. The greatest com- ' mandent of all is—NEVER TOP A | SHADE TREE. The State Board lof Forestry has just issued a folder on the planting and pruning of shade trees which mar be obtained \ free by writing to the State Forester, Indianapolis. Indiana.