The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-01-21
How to Pruno the owe.

4
Moreno Indicator: A paper by Mr..
Calkins, upon pruning the olive, has re.
Gently appeared in print and will prove
OF interest to local growers:
The task before US is to take olive
trees, with their bushy habit of growth
| in the nursery; and train them go that
they will become upright, symmetrical
and fruitful in the orchard. / will
briefly outline method which will be
found suited to the natural bent of the
tree, and if followed will accomplish
the desired object.
The trimming off the side branches
OF olive trees close to the stem or body,
as is commonly done, at the time of
transplanting them into the orchard has
proved unsatisfactory, as trees so treat
ed grow nlender and top heavy, being
unable to stand erect; and thus divest-
ed of their branches, they will some
times Irvine around the stakes to which
they may be tied, plainly indicating
that the practice is counter to their
peculiar nature. AS olive trees natur-
ally grow bushy in the nursery, often
without an upright leader, purchasers
unsquainted with their habit Of
growth are apt to think, though with
out cause, that they have been imposed
upon if some of the trees sent to them
are found to be not 40 ahapely as de-
ciduous trees; if it is attempted to grow
them straight by cutting off the side
branches, they will become slender,
and have to be staked in the nursery
rows. They will also be deficient in
roots, as the less branches the less roots.
1t is better, then, to leave the branches
on while in the nursery, even if some
of the trees are not as straight as they
would be if trimmed and staked up
As the trees have lost some roots in the
digging, il is necessary to reduce the
foliage at the time of transpanting; to
do this, shorten in all of the side
branches to within a few inches OF the
body; if there is no upright leader,
leave one of the strongest branches as
a substitute. The growth from these
shortened branches or stubs will c!othe
the stem with foliage and protect it
from the direct rays OF the hot sun. and
cause it to grow stocky. Stong stakes
should be set on the leeward side of the
trees, to which they should be securely
tied. Ii any OF the trees are crooked,
they may thus be made grow straight
II there ie a late growth on the tops OF
ethe trees, not fully matured, it should
be cut off. otherwise it is the best not to
cut off the tops, as it would increase the
tendency to grow bushy, which at this
stage we are trying to overcome. No
other trimming will be required the
first year, except to remove all sprouts
that may start to grow near the ground.
In this section, where the prevailing
winds. during the growing season. are
from the same direction, the branches
grow stronger and more plentiful on
the leeward side of the trees; by having
the stakes on the leeward eide, and
occasionally shortening in the strongest
branches during the growing season,
this tendency, in q measure, may be
overcome
The little branches along the stem OF
the tree, having served the purpose OF
protecting it from the hot sun and
causiDg it to grow stocky. may be re
moved gradusliy from year TO year, COM
mencing with those nearest the ground
and continuing upward till the desired
height OF frank is reached.
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