El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-03-22
Written Especially for This Section by
r. A. HARRIS,
City Park Commissioner OF II Paso.

supposed to be started from one year
old with no laterals at time of planting,
but with the laterals arranged as stated
when they do start, which would mean
the removal of al other branches the
first winter after planting Some kinds
OF trees hOWeVer-such as peach, april
cot, and plum-at one year have al
ready formed branches, and also, most
trees over one year have already start
ed their head.
In such trees make the arrangement
as nearly like the above pattern as
possible, but if this cannot be ap-
preached near enough, on account Of
the branches already formed starting
too high, cut TO the two feet anyway,
and dormant buds win most likely start
lower down to give this effect At any
rate, it would be better to lose the tree
the first year than have it disappOint
you later.
Selecting Trees.
A better way would be not to buy
trees that cannot be shaped right with
out taking the risk Of time and money
A reliable and competent nurseryman,
Understanding conditions, will shape
his trees according to those conditions,
and there should not be any disadvan-
tage in planting q two year old tree If
shaped right, but instead, If a good,
vigorous tree, a gain Of time in fruit
ing
The Second Year.
Pruning the second year should con
slst OF removing the excess Of lateralS
to about 10 or u inches from the tree
Watch the nearest bud to this cut, as
the growth viii be in the direction this
bud points From each cut you should
get two laLeralS, thus doubling the lat
eral framework of your tree each year
Do not cut to a bud that viii develop in
q lateral extending horizontally, but to
those pointing upward nearly As de-
grees, as this shape OF tree viii carry
a greater load
Third Year Pruning.
half or uwo-thirds the seasons growth
At all times after planting watch for
shoots not wanted for branches and
pinch off at two OF three inches, leaV-
ing a bunch of leaves, which will assist
in the circulation and help shade the
tree. This is especially important the
first year and should be continued un-
til the third year The vase form OF
t1ee is the most desirable shape, but
it should not be too open in the center,
as our sunshine is so intense that a
considerable growth can be maintained
in the center, And, too, this form OF
pruning viii cause the tree to open up
somewhat in the center under a heavy
lead of fruit and allow enough light 90
peuetrats the center to properly r1pen
the fruit, even If left quite dense
study Each Tree.
Tt is difficult TO learn by reading
how to prune a tree You must study
each tree as you come to it. I have
tried TO bring out the most important
2
after planting BY this time most trees
should be producing considerable fruit
Try to keep your, trees to this shape,
and always keep in mind that COM
nercial tree means q tree as convenient /
as possible for the harvesting Of the /
crop. a tree strong enough to carry the
maximum load with an even disuibu- !
ton Of light to ripen the fruit prop !
arly, and strong, vigorous wood to Sc !
cure the size Of fruit
Time for Pruning.
The heavy pruning should be done in
the dormant season. from the 18th OF /
December to the 18th Of February This /
induces heavy growth Of wood during /
the next summer. Pruning during the 4
activity Of the tree reduces wood (
growth and promotes fruit bearing
Generally speaking, the weaker and !
ess vigorous the tree, the heavier 1t /
should be pruned- Always cut out a 4
diseased limb or part Of tree when 4
.Ound-
Shortening should be done to a strong /
ateral. This may prevent a nice, even /
appearance to all branches, but viii 4
maintain the VigOr of the tree and pre-
-ent an excessive brushy top growth, /
AMOUNT of thinning.
Make Smooth Cuts.
Always when trimming be particular |
% make a smooth cut. Never leave J
short stubs, but cut back to a larger |
limb or the trunk Of the tree. On most /
kinds Of trees there is a slight swell !
ng near the juncture of the branches /
Try TO cut about the middle Of this en- 4
agreement: this viii in most cases leave |
4 bump where the limb is cut off. a 4
half inch long, or shorter: if the tree /
IS vigorous, this will heal over in few \
years IF the cut is too close to the /
Tree. a hole viii be left; and If a stub 4
IS allowed to remain, the wound VIII 4
never heal, but the stub viii decay and 1
the decay VIII extend finally to the 4
tree.
II +vo +-., Sc r,-o-.-7-- +-.,s--.z +r.---
viii never be any large limbs to re- I
move unless broken from an unusual
cause But in case q large limb has to 4
be removed, better do it just before the /
spring growth begins, as there is less \
ianger of cracking from frOsts or other 1
causes before the process of healing /
begins. Cover all large wounds with /
something to keep the air and moisture
anything.
Bearing Trees
The bearing trees should have the
bearing shoots thinned out to prevent /
)Ver bearing and production of small,
Inferior fruit Remove the older and
'etain the new. If this is neglected |
your tree will finally become fun of
mail sickly laterals.
Under the different fruits will have
more to say regarding the pruning of |
he particular kind; but in concluding |
MS article on pruning I want to en- !
'haslze again the Importance Of keep
ng in mind the object sought. Trim
or definite purpose. Try to reason /
ms out by studying your tree. To have
my lasJlng success you must trim in /
sIlsenIly each year, as the vigor of
ne tree and quality Of the fruit de-
'end upon the bearing part of the tree |
instantly reproducing itself with new
ND vigorous bearing wood from year
o year Prune, but prune for a clearly
efined purpose.
Mems suits cleaned. Wright.