The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1899-03-16
Treatment of Frozen Trees


A number of inquiries have come
to the Ohio Experiment Station con-
cerning the best method Of treatment
OF fruit trees which have been iniur-
ed by freezing.
1t may be said, in the beginning,
that frozen branch is of no use to
the tree, and the best thing that can
be done is to remove all parts that
are seriously affected. The questions
which naturally arise are "When
should pruning be done and how
much of the top shall be removedP"
1t is we'll to wait until it is possible
to determine about how much injury
has been done, as shows by the dis
colored wood and shriveled bark.
Usually one warm spell is suffici-
ent length of time to wait, but it is
possible to defer the work too long,
as the frozen wood seems to have a
deleterIous effect upon the sound
parts, If not removed before growth
commences. During March, aid in
some cases even as late as April, the
pruning should be done.
The quantity Of wood to be remov-
ed will be determined, in most cases,
by the extent of the injury; but in
the case of peach and some varieties
of plum trees an important exception
may be mentioned.
These ought to be pruned more Sc
verely than merely to remove IL jured
wood, except where they are killed
to the snow line, and in such case
it is doubtful if they can be saved al
all.
Peach trees which are from three
to five years old and have never been
pruned to any extent need special at
tention. In case the injury to such
trees does not extend beyond the
twigs and small branches, the best
thing that can be done is to cut of
all the branches to within one tc
three feet of the body of the tree. A
tree five years old, which has beer
allowed to grow at will, may have
long, slender branches, six to ter
feet in length, with most Of the fruit
bearing wood near the extremities
Such tree needs topping, even il {
crop has to be sacrificed in order tt
get it into proper shape. To cut ou
half the top from such a tree will
improve succeeding crops and pro
long the life of the tree.
This puts the pruning upon I
different basis. 1t is to be done no
merely to remove dead wood, but t,
get the trees into shape for futur
usefulness.
With this object in view the tree
are to be so pruned that they ca
carry the next crop Of fruit withou
breaking down. OF course it will b
necessary to cut off limbs of con
, siderable size, in many cases, and
will not be possible to avoid make
stubs.
This can be remedied the next sea
son, however, at which time surplu
branches may be removed also. In
cidently, it should be stated tina
some cutting back is necessary eac
season, in order to keep the trees i
proper form.
This method of pruning peac
, trees has so many advantages, tha
, the loss of this seasons crop wi
really prove to be a blessing to thos
who take advantage of the preser
, opportunity to get their trees int
proper shape. Ir case of young tree
which have been planted only one q
two years, it may be found that tn
injury extends to the trunk, an
} possibly to near the ground. If ther
: is life above the bud the best thin
: to do is to cut the entire top away q
, far as there appears to be iniur.
and start a new top. If cut off earl
in the season, however, the stump
apt to become dry, as shown b
cracking. To prevent this the en-
should be covered with wax, or som
: material that will prevent the escap
: of moisture.
: American and Japanese varietit
of plums should be treated in tn
same manner as peach trees, an
> possibly sweet cherries also.