Page:The white-pine weevil (IA whitepineweevil290hopk).pdf/11

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Fig. 4—Work of the white-pine weevil, showing result of killed terminal shoot in 4-year-old top of small sapling (Original.)

minals in the forks of the young trees (fig. 4), and the results of their work will be evident in the deformed growth, large forks, and broad, low crowns of both young and old trees (fig. 5).

Character of the Damage.

The damage and loss, as affecting the commercial tree, consists not only in the death of the terminal shoots, but in subsequent abnormal development of the trees so injured. The dying of the leading shoot throws the next year's growth into the upper lateral shoots, which results in a forked and many-branched top. Each branch produces a vigorous terminal, and all compete for leadership in forming the crown. In the succeeding years the more vigorous terminals of the topmost branches are attacked and killed, causing more branches, and thus effectually preventing the development of the normal straight trunk and symmetrical crown necessary to a tree of commercial value.