Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-01-15
Trimming Apple Trees.

| We have found in our experience, which
| has been considerable, that to- remove
| 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
NAV be attributable to this. One, or at
| least two large limbs at q time, is usually
| sufficient, depending upon the size of the
| tree. or upon the number of its large
branches. We have had the very best
success in reducing gradually the over
| grown top of tree, or where decay had
affected the large limbs, as is the case
| with the Spitzenburgs, taking two to four
years to remove the Cankered or crowded
large limbs, starting new ones in place OF
the deceased old ones where needed.
The time for doing this is, of course,
not in summer when the tree is in full
growth, as the shock will be all the great
er. 1t is, however, the time to free the
tree of small, unnecessary limbs and
shoots; the latter, in their tender staff,
may be rubbed off, and that is decidedly
the way to do it. as the work is easy, and
the further loss of wood growth is arrest
ed, the remainder of the tree and the fruit
getting it. Removing these small shoots
and limbs viii not visibly injure the tree;
will divert the sap into those parts of the
tree where it is wanted; and the wound
will more readily heal over.
Whether large limbs are removed in
the fall, winter or spring is not very ma
terlal. Mr.. Thomas, than whom there is
no better authority, says, in his Fruit
Culturlst," that the time Tor removing
large limbs should be deferred till toward
the spring. The reason is that the tree
receives shock to a certain extent, even
IN winter, as growth is not entirely sus-
pended; and the cold superadded makes
the tree still more suffer. Hence, when
the severity of the season lessons, as it
does toward spring, 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 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 remove the large branches then,
and the small ones in summer. We have
practiced this, and always with satisfac-
ton.
Pruning apple trees is an art, and it is
the main thing in the prosperity of tree
Attendance to the rOOts-that is, the soil
is OF Importance, sometimes the great
est; but Of greater importance 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 a state of decay, and
by gradual, careful course of
pruning, starting new shoots in the place
OF the old ones where needed, have re-
newed the trees and have made them sur
pass their former best state. There is
chance with old trees-which is of the
| greatest importance-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 venti-
latiOn of the whole tree if perfect fruit
and the largest amount is to be realized :;
| also the best growth. Spread therefore,
! the top, SO that each large branch is dis
| tinct-a small tree by itself, as it were
| giving chance for light and air between.
| But each branch itself wants to be
| thinned out, the whole well aired and ex-
| posed to the skyey influences. Then
every fruit will be colored and matured /;
limbs will be healthy, or healthier than
| if not thus treated.
| Sometimes, however, it is difficult to
prevent tree, by pruning, from going to
| decay. This without the intervention of
the borer or any visible disease. In such
a case we have known the cause to be a
| hard, impervious soil-too much water
| present at times or habitually. The rem
| edy here is ditching. Then the pruning
will be efficacious.-Cor Utica Herald.