The Elbert County tribune., 1908-02-20
Pruning Young Trees.

Orchard pruning has already begun
on the Western Slope. and it will not
be long before pruning time will be
Young trees are often more neglected
and misused than older ones in the
matter OF pruning; therefore note
from Professor w. Paddock of the
Colorado Agricultural College on the
subject should be of interest
For those who are unfamiliar with
the growing of trees and plants, the
basic principle cannot be too often in
sisted upon-that most trees and plants
must be cut back when planted.
Yearling whips of all sorts of or
chard trees are the best to plant in
Colorado. Such trees usually have no
branches. Cut them back to a point
13 to "a inches above where the first
branch is wanted. The mere cutting
back will induce most of the buds to
form branches. If not cut back, usu-
ally but a few comparatively weak
branches will push out and these near
the top. Many trees die outright
where this important feature is neg
lected. The second year, from three
to five branches are selected to form
the framework of the tree. All the
branches should be properly spaced
around the stem so as TO form sym
metrical. well balanced top.
One should constantly have in mind
the way the tree will appear when 1t
is full grown. Many may think at first
that the distance between the first and
last limbs as given above is far too
great, but when the branches grow to
be six and eight inches in diameter
the proportion will not appear out of
place. In fact, we believe that even
greater distance, say so inches. will
result in a stronger tree. These
framework branches should be pruned
back to about IA inches. Many side
branches will develop on each of these
limbs during the second years growth.
The second pruning will consist in Sc
lecting two branches on each of the
last year.; limbs, one near the center
of the top and the other at about IA
inches distance
The main branch is cut off just
above the last one selected. The rest
of the branches are removed as be-
fore. The selected branches are cut
back to about IA inches. The third
pruning is mere repetition, selecting
two branches on each one of last years
growth properly spaced and heading
them in. If we have started the tree
with three limbs, we should now have,
after the third pruning, "a scaffold
limbs, or, if the start was made with
FIVE, there will be 40 limbs. This will
be enough to satisfy anyone and meets
the objection sometimes raised that
this system does not provide sufii-
cient amount of top. In practice it is
doubtful if 40 limbs will ever be left,
but Judgment must be used in this
respect.
Some have found that such pruning
during the early life of a tree retards
its time of coming into bearing. This
need not be So however. In fact fruit
may be bad just as soon, and fruit
spurs may be had more nearly where
they are wanted. When a young limb
is headed back most of the buds will
start into vigorous growth. If now
these side growths are cut back to
single bud, particularly in the summer
time, many of them will form fruit
buds.
Apple trees have been particularly
in mind in the above discussion. but
the principles will apply to all fruit
trees. Open centered trees have also
been discussed for the reason that they
are considered best. If one prefers
tree with a central leader, the train
ing is much the same, except that at
the first pruning the uppermost branch
is left longer, upon which is developed
what amounts to second top.