Pruning of Trees is the taking off all Super∣fluous, and dead Branches, which is a great be∣nefit to the Tree; for the doing of which the best Season is in (and about) January, and rather whilst the Trees and Young, than otherwise; this is to be performed with a Sharp Bill, or Ax, making your Strokes upwards, to prevent the slit∣ting of the Tree, or Bark, at the fall of the Branch, and be sure cut it off clean, smooth, and close; [ 20] for by cutting it otherwise the Stump rotting, will leave a hollow Hole which will decay the Tree.
Those Trees not fit for Timber, but such that are designed for present use, for Fewel, &c. may be Lopped, or Shrouded at convenient sea∣sons.
The harder Woods may be Lopped at any time during the Winter season, but the Elm, the Ash, and such like Pithy and soft Woods, are [ 30] best to be Lopped in the beginning of the Spring, least the Winter Injure the Tree; and it is not good, to Lop them too often; once in ten, or twelve Years being sufficient; and for preser∣ving the Trees from decaying, cut the remaining Stumps aslope, and smooth, as before directed, that they may cast off the Water which rots them.
Take not off the Head of any Aquatick, (be∣fore Unlopped) growing upright and smooth af∣ter [ 40] they are about the bigness of a Mans Leg, unless you have some Collateral Shoots to draw up the Sap; for it will endanger the Tree.
These Aquaticks may be Cut, or Lopped every four or five Years, but cut them not too near the main Stock, which oft times occasions the dy∣ing of the Tree; especially if too great Lops; also it hinders new Shoots. You may Lop them in February, or the beginning of March, if designed for Sets, otherwise in the Winter before the Sap [ 50] begins to rise.
The Growth of Coppices is various, according to the Nature of the Ground, so that no prefixt time can be set for the time of their standing be∣twixt Felling and Felling, for in some Grounds the Wood will be at a good growth at nine Years; in others at ten, eleven or twelve; whereas in o∣thers not until fifteen or more, so that the bigness of the Wood must be your direction, which when grown to an indifferent size, should be fel∣led, [ 60] for after that it will not grow so fast as at the first.
The Season for falling Coppices is from Mid-September to Mid-March, and let no Carts and Horses come into the Wood after March, for fear of breaking, or bruising the young Cions; and al∣so let your Woods be fenced and preserved from Cattle cropping the young Shoots in the Spring, which is a very great injury; for it will Stunt them. Cut not above half a Foot from the Ground, and slopewise, triming up such as you spare for Stand∣ards, which may be left at the discretion of an understanding Wood-Man.
If any Coppice hath been neglected and receiv∣ed injury by the browzing of Cattle, or the like, so that you perceive the Wood to be stunted, the best way is to fell it down, for let it stand never so long it will not thrive; and after the felling by due care and well ordering, it will thrive as well as any other.
For the Felling of Timber-Trees you should consider if they are of full growth; for after that it is ill Husbandry to let them stand, but for the preservation of the growth, and encrease thereof for future Ages, it is good Husbandry to plant two young ones for every one felled. Next, the time of year is to be considered; for if you design your Timber for Sale, then the best time for Oaks is from Mid-April to Midsummer, the Sap being then up, so that the Bark will run, which is considerable advantage, being bought up by Tanners: And if I am not mistaken there is a Statute prohibiting the felling of Oaks but at such a Season when the Bark will run, but for all Timbers Trees the Winter season whilst the Sap is down is best.
If you would have Oaken Timber for your own use, then fell it in December, or January, at which time it is clearest of Sap, so that it will not be so much subject to the Worm, neither will it cast, twine, or rift, as if cut in the Summer, and it will also last longer in any Building, and not be so apt to yeild under a burthen, for the more Sap is in it, the sooner will it rot and decay.
Fell your Timber Trees not in the increase not full of the Moon, nor in windy Weather, for that oft times Spoyls the Tree.
If you design to reserve the Roots in the Earth, for a new encrease of Suckers, then fell the Tree as near the Earth as you can, for that is the best Timber; otherwise grub up all the Roots.