HMS Speedy's Mast

Thomas Cochrane (10th Earl of Dundonald), Commander Royal Navy, and Captain of HMS Speedy (whose exploits were transformed by the late Patrick O'Brian into Jack Aubury). Was instructed to reduce the length of his main yardarm as the Port Admiral considered that it would over-power the small 14-gun Brig. He has the ship's carpenter shave off the ends of the yardarm to give the appearance of having been shorted (as he had been told to do). 

 This story came to mind this morning as I walked through our local park and admired some unknown tree-surgeon's work