to girdle a tree

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

In America, to make a circular incision, like a belt, through the bark and alburnum of a tree to kill it.--Webster. Settlers in new countries often adopt this method to clear their land; for when the trees are dead they set them on fire, and thus save themselves the trouble of chopping them down with the axe.


The emigrants purchase a lot or two of government land, build a log house, fence a dozen ares or so, plough half of them, girdle the trees, and then sell out to a new comer.--Mrs. Clavers, Forest Life, Vol. I.

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