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During the progress of construction work in the neighbourhood offine trees or shrubs some protection should be afforded, either by theerection of a stout fence or a stout wooden framework. Root Pruning. Root pruning serves to check the growth of a treeand to encourage lateral or secondary growth of the roots. Whena plant has a slow or a weak-growing top grafted upon a vigor-ous root stock, root pruning is often used advantageously to stoptoo great a growth of the stock. Root pruning should be done beforethe weather becomes too cold in the fall. If this pruning is delayed tillvery late no start in healing the cuts will be made before spring, andmeanwhile decay will set in. The process of root pruning to assist inthe successful transplanting of trees is effected by excavating a narrowtrench around the tree encircling a ball of earth (Usually six to eightfeet in diameter) (See Plate VI-C-I) which can be handled with a treemachine. In this way one-half to two-thirds of the large roots aresevered. The trench is filled with loam, and during the remainder ofthe growing season a mass of new fibrous roots form, which readilycome to the aid of the tree when transplanted to its new location(See Planting and Transplanting, Page 42). |
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