Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1913-03-28
PRUNING TREES


In . climate like ours it il very i'm
poriaul Ia head all fruit trees low.
eur rllmulr conditions are such that
II headed high, say two and half
feet more to the first limb, the trunk
Of the tree l., exposed 10 the cXces-
~lNr heat of the sun aud Is apt t.
b"cumr burned lhi, condition affords
an opportunity for the borcrs 10 al
tack the tree. II this doe, not hap
pen II Is because the bark of the
tree i toughrmcd To II degree 10 rem
der the burn not of Il serious ma
Iurr. hul Il bark tough enough to
resist tins danger exposes the tree
lo another. VIZ. the hiudcring of the
growth of the tree by strangulation
or bark binding, which impedes the
free and natural flow Of sap and
j. thus Il detrimcnt
FRUITS AND ORNAMENTALS
The above is general statement.
but applies IN different degrees to
different species of trees and their
varieties, Some trees, particularly
among the urnamcntals. have fort-
fled themselves against this danger
by the structure Of their bark; IN
some eases through the texture of
the bark, IN some by the color, in 9th
CPS by the roughness, which breaks
up the suns rays. But, generally
speaking, in the fruits adapted to
this section the above caution as to
heading low applies, III ornamentals.
this Is question of adaptation for
the purpose. rs most ornamentalS
must br -ymmclrically pruncd, a.
their mission is beauty and comfort,
while in fruits the commercial value
j. of the first Importance.
ADVANTAGES OF LOW HEADING
The low headed tree carries its load
of fruit nearer the ground, and there
fore is less work to pick, and in II
large commercial orchard this may
measure the line of profit and loss.
The low headed tree also suffers less
from strong winds than the higher
trees. One disadvantage may be thai
the low headed tree is difficult To cul
livalc with a team; but this is prob
ably offset by the denscr shade near
cr the ground which helps to con
serve the moisture. The advantage
l. 80 much uu the side of the low
headed tree that, to my way of think
lng, it is by far the best
At TIME OF PLANTING
At planting, the tree should be- cut
back 10 not over two feet The ideal
tree would have branch start not
over ~iN inches from the ground, an
other at ten Ia twelve inches. but ON
the other side of the main trunk. and
Two to three oilers evenly distributed
further up.
Twa branches should not start at
the same height, as this weakcns the
tree and prevents its carrying at ma
luritN the maximum load.
The tree should be balanrcd-that
j.. the limbs should radiatc evenly in
the different directions. but no tive
start at the same height.
THE YOUNG TREE
The ideal tree mentioned above i,
supposed to be- started from II ON,
year old with no latcrals ut time 81
planting. but with the laterals ar
ranged rs stated when they do start
= which would mean the removal %
. all other branches he first winter AT
1 ter planting. Some kinds of trees
however-such as peach, apricot an,
plum--at one year have alread,
formed branches, and also mos
trees over one year have alread,
started their head.
In such trees make the arrange
ment as nearly like the above pat
tern as possible; but if this canno
be approached near enough, on nc
count of the branches already forme
starting too high, cut to the two fee
any way, and dormant buds will mos
likely start lower down to give thi
effect. AT any rate, it would be bel
ter to lose the tree the first year tina
have il disappoint you later.
SELECTING TREES
A better way would be not to bu
trees than cannot be shaped rigl
|! without taking the risk Of time IN
money. A reliable and competei
- nurseryman, understanding cond
tons, will shape his trees accordir