DCHP-1 Online

girdling † 

• n. the process of cutting a ring through the bark of a tree, thus cutting off the flow of sap and eventually killing it.

  • 1821  The easiest and most economical system is that named girdling.
  • 1842  (1911)  Among innumerable stumps blasted by fire and girdling, were seen wide streets at right angles to each other.
  • 1899  Another way to clear the bush was by "girdling." This consisted in hacking the tree all around, so that in the course of six or seven years it would decay and fall.