turn become bark-bound, and the healing may stop. On large wounds it progresses more rapidly the first few years than it does later. This roll or ring of tissue is called a callus.
The callus grows from the living tissue of the stem just about the wound. It cannot cover long dead stubs or very rough broken branches (Fig. 64). Therefore, in pruning the branches should be cut close to the trunk and made even and smooth; all long stubs must be avoided. The seat of the wound should be close to the living part of the trunk, for the stub of the limb that is severed has no further power in itself of making healing tissue. The end of the remaining stub is merely covered over by the callus, and usually remains a dead piece of wood sealed inside the trunk (Fig. 65). If wounds do not heal over speedily, germs and fungi obtain foothold in the dying wood and rot sets in. Hollow trees are those in which the decay-fungi have progressed into the inner wood of the trunk; they have been infected (Fig. 66).
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Fig. 64.—Erroneous Pruning.
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Fig. 65.—Knot in a Hemlock Log.
Large wounds should be protected with a covering of paint, melted wax, or other adhesive and lasting material,
