SECTION VII.

PREPARATION OF THE TREES FOR REMOVAL.

IT has been said above, that the Removal of Large Trees is applicable to two different objects, namely, Single Trees, or Open Dispositions of Wood, and to Close Plantations; which last consists of Grove and Underwood intermixed. Now, as the former much more frequently occur in practice than the latter, so Transplanting may be generally said, as has been already noticed, to imply encreased exposure.

By the wise economy of Nature, it has been provided, that Trees in open situations, in order to thrive, must possess certain external conditions, which have been designated the Protecting Properties. Therefore, the principle of Transplanting lies, in adopting such subjects as possess those Properties, wherever they can be found, and in communicating them to others, in which they may be deficient. It is obvious, that Trees, endued

with the Protecting Properties or Prerequisites, require no Preparation at all; and that those Trees, which possess them partially or inadequately, require it precisely in the ratio or degree of that inadequate possession. Further, it is apparent, as these properties must be either Protecting or Non-Protecting, or a modification of the one or the other, so the complete presence of the one class of properties necessarily implies the absence of the other class. But both may nevertheless exist, at one and the same time, in different parts of the same tree. For the purpose of removal, for example, such a plant may possess fibrous roots, and spreading branches (two of the Protecting Properties which are generally concomitant), yet it may be deficient in both bark and stem. In like manner, it may have desirable stem and bark (two properties likewise, which usually go together), and yet fail in branches and

roots.

It is a great error to imagine, with the early planters, and as is still done by many, that the business of Preparation applies solely to Roots. As well might it be imagined, that the roots carry up the sap to the top; that they elaborate it in the leaves; that they transmit it to the stem and branches; and, in a word, that this single organ performs all the various functions, which exist in a complicated system. When the ingenious Lord Fitzharding,

as we learn from Evelyn, thought of cutting round the roots of Trees, in order to multiply their lateral fibres, it cannot be deemed surprising, that he should have been unaware how small a part of the work of Preparation he had effected by that invention. But it is much more extraordinary, that, during the many years that my practice has been open to general inspection, it should never occur to any one, that its success did not depend merely on the roots, but must refer to some general and fixed principle: For, to this day, when the roots of Trees are cut round, as is often done, they are said to be "fully prepared according to my method;" while the planter, who so prepares them, does not suspect, that he is merely trying to fulfil one of four indispensable conditions, which are required by that method. But perhaps it was not supposed that a process, seemingly so simple as Transplanting appeared to be, in the hands of my workmen, required any principle at all to regulate it.

It has been stated, in a foregoing Section, that the perfect and internal developement of woody plants is dependent on certain external conditions; and that, when those conditions are imperfectly supplied, this developement cannot take place. It has been further observed, that the most perfect developement, in all cases, appears manifest. where the Protecting Properties are most fully dis

played. If these things be true, it will follow, that to prepare Trees for removal only means, to allow Nature, if I may so speak, to do her own work : and this we shall best accomplish, by clearing away those accidental obstacles, and mechanical impediments, which are often thrown in her way; as they obstruct or misdirect the simple, but efficient methods which she employs, towards the accomplishment of one of the most beautiful, as well as complicated of her processes. The difficulty lies in administering to Nature discreetly; neither officiously directing her, on the one hand, nor rudely controlling her, on the other.

The main obstacle or impediment to the acquisition of the Protecting Properties in Trees, is shelter and closeness, or the want of a sufficient action of the atmosphere. Vegetable, like animal life, is dependent for its existence, on the external conditions of food, air, and heat, while light is a condition peculiar to plants. Where Trees, as in unthinned plantations, press too closely on one another, the range, which the roots require for their food, is circumscribed. Wind being in a great degree excluded, and evaporation prevented, heat is, by consequence, generated in an undue degree. In the same way, light is nearly shut out from such plantations, except from the top, and a disproportioned elongation of the stem is occasioned, by the efforts which each individual makes to gain

the light. By these means, the bark becomes thinner and more delicate, the roots more scanty, and the spray and branches more open and sparing, than when there is a greater action of the atmosphere, and a freer access of light. Thus, by the law of Nature, by which Trees accommodate themselves to the circumstances in which they are placed, as the possession of the Non-protecting Properties does not constitute the most natural, or most perfect state of Trees, but is superinduced by circumstances; so that state must be improved by the alteration of such circumstances, and the possession of the opposite or Protecting Properties be substituted in its stead. The planter, therefore, if he act with judgment, has little more to do, than to bring about a gradual, a salutary, and, in the end, a free exposure of Trees to the elements, and their own native energies, and plastic powers will do every thing else for themselves.

Having explained, as distinctly as I can, the true principle, on which the Preparation of Trees should be made, I will now proceed to point out the practice. Subjects for Removal may be prepared in two different ways, or, more properly speaking, in two different classes, namely, as Single Trees, each independently of the other; or as Masses, especially trained and disciplined for the purpose.