The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-01-20
Trimming Apple Trees.

We have found in our experience,
which has been considerable, that to re.
move large limbs, and several of them
at time, is injurious to the tree. The
shock seems for awhile to check the
growth; this for more than a year, and
some fatal cases may be, attributable to
this. One, or at least two large limbs
at time, is usually sufficient, depend
ing upon the size of the tree, or upon
the number of its large branches We
have had the very best success in redu-
cling gradually the overgrown top of a
tree, or where decay had affected the
large limbs, as is the case with the
Spitzenburgs, taking two to four years
to remove the cahkered or crowded
large limbs, starting new ones in place
of the deceased old ones where needed.
The time for doing tlis is, of course,
not in summer when the tree is in full
growth, as the shock will be all the
greater. Itis, however,the time to free
the tree Of small. unnecessary limbs
and shoots the latter. in their tender
state, may he rubbed off, and that is
decidedly the way to do il, as the work
is easy, and the further loss of wood
growth is arrested, the remainder OF the
tree and the fruit getting it Remoy-
ing these small shoots and limb. will
not visibly injure the tree; will divert
the sap into those parts of the tree
where il is wanted and the wound will
more readily heal over. .le
Whether large limbs are removed in
the fail, winter or spring. is nots.yery
material Mr.. Thomas, than whom
there is no better authority, says, in his
Fruit Culturst," that the time for re
moving large limbs should be deferred
till toward the spring The reason is
that the tree receives shock to a Ger
tain extent, eyenin WINTER as growth
is not entirely suspended; and the cold
superadded makes the tree still more
suffer. Hence, when the severity of the
season lessens,as it does toward spiing,
and other causes seem to operate, is the
time to remove large limbs, or do the
most extensive pruning at time
March, with US, is good time But a
strong, hardy tree may be pruned any
time during winter and late fall. If
your tree is very thrifty and large, with
a tendency to grow wood rather than
fruit, trim in the. fall You may re-
move the large branches then, and the
small ones in summer We have prac.
ticed this, and always with satisfaction
Pruning apple trees is an arr, and il
is the main thing in the prosperity of
a tree. Attendance to the roots-thst
is, the Soils of importance, some
times the greatest; but of greater i'm
portance we deem attention TO the top
We speak not only from experience, but
the most gratifying experience. We
have taken orchards in hand that were
thought ruined, most of the limbs dead
or in state of decay, and by gradual
careful course of pruning, starting new
shoots in the place of the old ones
where needed, have renewed the trees
and have made them surpass their for
mer best state. There is a chance with
old which is of the greatest i'm
portance-to give spread or outward
extension to the limbs. This cannot
be too strongly Insisted upon You
must have the sun and air and free ven
tila,ion OF the whole tree if perfect fruit
and the largest amount is to be realized
also the best growth. Spread, there
fore, the top, so that each large brancl
is distinct-a small tree by itself, as i
were-giying chance for light aud all
between. But each branch itself want:
to be thinned out, the whole we'll airet
and exposed to the skyey influences
Then every fruit will be colorcd ant
matured limbs will be healthy, or heal
thier than if not thus treated.
Sometimes, however. it is difficult te
prevent tree, by pruning, from going
to decay. This without the interven
tion of the borer or any visible disease
In such case we have known the caus,
to be hard, impervious soil too mucl
water present at times or hahitualiy- -
The remedy here is ditchiug Then th'
pruning will be etflcacious-Cor. Utict
y