Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-09-09
Root Pruning.

1t is pretty generally known that what
ever checks the wood-producing principle
of a tree tends to encourage the formation
OF fruit buds and the production Of fruit,
In some cases the remedy has been so
roughly applied that in place of having the
desired effect it has put stop to the
growth of wood and fruit and caused the
death of the tree.
Summer pruning is rcSOrted to for the
purpose of checking the growth of those
strong and vigorous shoots which h. out
stripping the principal part VI the head
destroy its compactness and regularity.
This operation has tendency to weaken
the tree and to cause in it a tendency to
produce fruit, but there are cases in which
this object can be with more certainty at
tanned by root-pruning.
1t is well known that root pruning con-
sists of cutting the roots of tree at a
suitable distance from the trunk, in order
to check the rampant growth OF the
branches and to cause in them tendency
to form fruit spurs The reckless use of
this process has caused the death of many
trees, Experience and good Judgment are
more necessary in this kind of pruning
than any other, for roots are of more inn
portance to the health of a tree than
branches. A tree will perform its various
functions without much interruption after
several Of its branches have been removed,
the principal part of its juices being
thrown into the branches which remain
and the rest used in the formation OF new
shoots; but when considerable number
Of the roots have been cut away the sup
ply of nutriment which they furnished is
cut off, and the remaining roots are INSULT
cient to furnish those ingredients which
are necessary in the formation of wood,
leaves and fruit.
In root pruning, a trench is opened
around the tree to be operated on, at a
suitable distance from the trunk, that dis
lance depending upon the size OF the tree
and the consequent extent of the roots.
About one fourth Of the roots may be cut
away and as they extend nearly as tar as
the branches, the diameter of the circle
formed by the trench may be regulated by
the spread of the branches. In root-prun-
ing small trees the soil need not be dug
out of the trench as the roots may be cut
| by driving down very sharp spade to the
required depth. When large tree is to
| be operated on, the lowest roots can
| sCarcely be reached without removing the
soil from the trench to the depth of foot
and half and then cutting a circle with
the spade in the bottom Of the trench, at
! least one foot in depth.
| In opening trench around the tree care
! should be taken not to hack the roots with
the spade or AK When il is possible to
do so, they should be cut with a sharp
/ knife, making a clean draw cut Much
| damage is sometimes done by hacking the
roots with spade, or cutting TOO close to
the trunk, also in cutting the tap root
which is used by the tree as an anchor for
keeping 1t secure in its place. When a
tree has been deprived of the greater num-
Der Of its tibrous or feeding roots by this
method Of pruning, manure should be APP
piled to encourage the growth OF others.
| A root-pruned tree, without the applica-
ton of suitable manure, generally pro-
duccs large number Of very small fruit,
but when the trench is filed with suitable
manure and heavy top dressing Of it APP
piled to the area within the circle, very
favorable results may be expected On
the whole, root-pruning has been found in
furious to the longevity Of trees and should
not be resOrted to until all other eXpcdi-
ents have failed. The best time for per-
forming this operation is in the fall inn
mediatcly after the growth OF the tree has
ceased Some experienced hortlculturists
select the end Of August for this work.
Western Rural.