The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-06-01
SOME PRUNING SUGGESTIONS.

GONE PRUNING SUGGESTIONS.
The first two or three years prun-
ing of an orchard of young trees Ia
the most important as determining ths
framework aud shape which the trees
will have in later years. Allowed to
develop at will. apple and pear as well
as peach trees grow too tall and lack
strength and sturdiness of head and
limb. The arst pruning to secure the
desired results should consist In cut
ting the yearling trees buck to
height of about twenty inches within
week after they are set out. Thls
will cause the little trees TO throw out
from them three to five or six lateral
shoots. These should be allowed to
grow without interference during the
first season. In the early fall, II 1t Is
desired to hasten the maturing of the
wood, one may trim these branches
back to a length of from twelve to
fifteen inches, depending somewhat
upon the vigor and size Of the tree.
More frequently this job is put over
until the April and May following
about now In doing this cutting one
should be guided by the habit OF the
tree. If vertical grower one should
prupe to outside buds. while If the
tree is Of spreading variety. ike the
Spitzenburg. one should prune to In
side buds. which will throw the sub
seuuent shoots In instead OF out. Inc
best orchardlsts favor the vase shaped
or open crown because 1t let's the sun
shine color the fruit and gives when
mature tree that is low growing and
easy alike to spray and to prune and
whose fruit is easy TO thin and har-
vest. The pruning year later should
be of the same general character ana
a good half or more Of the new growth
be cut back This treatment will give
strong and sturdy head or frame.
which later will give the tree sutt1-
cient strength. except in rare cases. to
bear its burden of fruit without much
propping.
During the growing months the
Young orchard should be gone over. and
water sprouts or shoots that are clear
ly out Of place should be removed with
the fingers or sharp knife. lf the or
chard has arrived Mt an age when 1t
ought to bear and does not. summer
pruning may be adopted during the
month Of July. This discourages
growth of wood and encourages the
setting of fruit buds for the following
season. This same treatment may be
adopted with any mature orchard
no abu nalV and where
1t Is not necessary to encourage the
growth of wood for the formation or
new tops. In the case OF the peach
trees the pruning should be rather
heavy, including not only cutting
back Of half or more OF the previous
years growth but thinning out OF at
least a third OF its branches. Fruit
buds form on wood OF the previous
seasons growth so that pruning has
very direct influence on fruit bear
Ing With the peach tree as with the
apple and pear. the broad spreading.
low headed tree IL desirable. as well as
the open crown, which will let In the
sunshine to color and ripen the fruit.
While general directions such as the
above may be given, it Is well to re-
member that trees. like folks, have an
individuality both of habit and form;
hence each should be studied separate
ly and be pruned and handled accord
ingly. Trees are wonderfully respon-
siye, aud 1t is remarkable what one
can do In helping them to beautiful
as we'll as useful development. Prun-
ing should usually be in a ratio to the
rapidlty Of growth of the tree, which
in turn depends upon richness of soil.
abundance of moisture and length of
the growing season.