The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-02-14

I tOiAN' VI iilCiSSl W general pubic. Inc
matter in these COMMUNICATIONS will be I'M
derstood to represent only the views of the
writer's. All communications must be ac-
companied by the name of the writer not for
publication unless SO desired but as a euaran-
lee of good faith.-EDS.
Pruning Shade and Ornamental Trees.
EDS. RECoRD-UNIoN The art of prun-
ing was already highly developed in the
seventeenth century, and in spite of all
that has been written and told about il.
they are very few that understand prun-
ming, not only amongst amateurs but also
PROFESSIONALISM. 70 prune properly re-
quires not only thorough knowledge of
physiologlc of the plant, but also of the
particular habits and peculiarites of the
same. We find well-grown and pruned
trees, with few exceptions, only in large
public and private parks, which are sll
perintended by Intelligent and expert
enced gardeners.
1t Is not my object to give close de-
scription and illustration of how to prune
which would be too lengthy-but would
like to throw little light on the subject.
which might possibly tend to stop the
slaughter OF shade trees that is going on
in this city, and might be welcomed to
some readers of this paper.
1t seems that over half of the trees in
! Sacramento are entirely robbed of their
branches, and the crippled trunks are by
no means an attraction to the streets
| W heneVer a tree is cut back it can be done
| for no other reason but to impart yigor.
and will cause the remaining part of the
tree TO throw up numerous unnaturally
| strong shoots which will all strive to grow
a vertical position, causing one compact
! bunch OF branches. Such trees lack ali the
grace and beauty for which we so much ad-
mire natural grown tree. Many people
/ think fhaU f1n l. hai j
make them spread by cutting them back.
but are not aware of the fact that they are
| working III the opposite direction. Shade
| trees grow to large dimensions, therefore
| plenty OF room should be allowed them
in all cases. Generally they are planted
| too close to each other. or to close to
| buildings. IL Is useless to try to grow a
! tree where ample room cannot be pro-
vided; 1t will be unworthy of its place
and should make room for trees or plants
of less Dimensions. All vegetation will
grow strongest where it gets the most
| light, and when trees are crowded thew
get the most light from above and grow
consequently tall instead of spreading
and assuming their natural habits. This
fact can be readily observed wherever
trees grow, and is the main source of fail
! ure. There is one tree on the corner of
/ Fourteenth and y streets which has been
allowed freedom. If ii was not for the
balanced all right in its branches, and if
a little thinning had been done, and the
Irregularities been removed, which would
give the tree cleaner and healthier ap-
! pearance, it would be fair sample
By pruning tree we should aim first
/ to obtain the balance in all its branches:
next to keep ii in healthy growing con-
dition and preserve age, and lastly make
it develop lis full natural habits, and pro-
/ duce eventually large and perfect flow
erS.
| The trunk of a tree should be in a YER
/ teal position. The lowest branches
| should start where they spread out evenly
| to all sides at the desired hight, and as ali
the rest should start about under the
same angle from the trunk, all which are
in discord with this rule should either be
removed or brought in the proper posi-
( ton by tying or bracing. 1t should be
borne in mind that not only the tree. as a
whole, must have plenty room and light,
but also every single branch. 1t can be
1 readily observed, and every improper
| tree viii demonstrate, that only the tons
of the branches grow vigorous and pro-
/ duce healthy foliage; the former might
/ partly be caused by the fact that the sap
! strives toward the terminal buds, but the
! latter is only caused by want of light,
Every main branch, if looked at by itself.
should be like whole, symmetrical and
| perfect; ii should have large and healthy
/ foliage from its base TO its top. In most
cases all small twigs, which grow from a
main branch upward and downward.
will have to be removed, as they grow
into other branches, and such growing
/ sideways will be found to be in symme-
4 try with the rest, only when too numer-
Gus; some VIII have to give room for
those remaining.
If so the tree is kept light, airy and
well balanced in all its parts, the sap will
distribute itself equally throughout
the tree, and very little pruning Will be
necessary if once a tree is in its proper
condition.