Ogden Daily Standard | 1909-06-26 | Page 14 | Saving Decaying Trees

SAVING DECAYING TREES The formeV method of working In failing trees with cement was never successful for several reasons. One was that tho cement seldom if ever adhered to the wood, so the swaying by wind of the tree very generally mado larger tho treated crack between It aJid the wood. Tater penetrated beyond the filling, bo the decay increased rather more rapidly than before attempting a remedy. The improved idea is Jn removing from the interior all of"the rotting mass. There remains only a living shell of sapwood and bark, and into this cavity a steel brace is nicely inserted in-serted and bolted in place. The next important step is to cut watersheds preventing any moisture from entering. There are deep grooves cut about one Inch inside the edge and opening out to the ground below. Cc- meat is pecked tightly into grooves, forming a channel down which tho water wa-ter flows. Tho cavity is afterward wired throughout thoroughly. The cement is worked moist, and built out in the tree shape. Any bark that is cut away for an inch or two in order to prevent bruising as the filling fill-ing Is In progress will soon cover the filled spot so a passerby can scarcely detect the wound at all. In very large cavities the opening is covered by utilizing large strips of zinc. Nature helps In this kind of new work in trees, for the place soon heals over. )