The state herald., 1917-04-06
READY FoR PLANTING pavNED IN DIFFERENT WAYS

Of a strong, stock tree, with well-bal-
anced, symmetrical head. which shall
be sufficiently open to admit air and
sunlight to every branch. Thus
pruned, the development along the
branches Of a goodly number of strong.
thrifty fruit spurs as the tree attains
bearing age is favored.
Following the first seasons growth
after planting, some thinning out OF
the branches that developed during
that season will usually be required.
Two secondary branches are enough,
as rule, to leave on each main
branch. unless others are needed to
help make the tree symmetrical.
Some heading back Of the growth
made that season is also advised,
though some growers are opposed to
cutting back at all. 1t is believed.
however. that heading back the annual
growth to some extent during the first
two. or three years after the trees are
planted will result In a more stocky
tree and one better formed for sup
porting heavy crops Of fruit in later
years than where the limbs are not
headed back. The amount Of heading
back should depend upon the growth
made the previous year. Where 1t is
strong growers frequently cut baek the
limbs one-half or two-thlrds Of their
length.
The annual pruning Of sour-cherry
trees until they come into bearing
need not be materially different from
that which follows the first seasons
growth In the orchard. ms already de-
scribed. The tops should always be
kept open and the growth OF the pre-
ceding season headed back more or
less for two or three years at lenst.
Comparatively little cutting back.
however. Is required after the trees
reach the age Of three or four years,
which Is about the agc ut which most
sour varieties come Into bearing,
though this time varies with the va
riety. location and treatment.
swsst.chsrry Trees.
The growing Of sweet cherries Is
confined largely to sections where the
open-center type Of tree prevails. and
II any attention is given to pruning.
the trees are usually developed on that
plan.
II the tree is allowed to grow each
season with no heading back Of the
previous seasons growth. the branches
will be long. slender. and poorly adapt.
ed for supporting a fruit crop.
Most sweet varieties begin to bear
by the time they are six to eight years
old. Up to this nge they should be
30 managed that the limbs win become
strong and stocky, and the tops should
be kept sufficiently open to ndmit light
and sunshine to every part OF the tree
where fruit spurs normally form.
Duke Cherry Trees.
The hnbit Of growth Of tho duke
cherries is more or less intermediate
between the sweet nnd sour sorts,
some varieties more closely rescm-
bling tho former md others the lat.
ter. Az the dukes are planted
lnrgeiy In those sections where the
opcn-centcr type OF pruning IL prnc-
tIccd II follows that most Of the trees
Of this class nrc pruned according to
TINT system. This variety resembles
the sweet cherry In habit OF growth
rather thnn the sour cherry.
Centrai.leader Type.
The ctntral-icndcr type Of tree IN
represented In practice by two general
forms In which the difference depends
upon whether tho central limb is al.
lowed 10 grow. or lend" indefinitely
or whether Il IN headed bnck at some
point.
The annual pruning Of trcc shaped
With central leader should consist OF
thinning out tho branches. In order to
keep the top open. md OF such hend.
Ing bnck ms mny suit the ideals of tho
grower.
The choice Of these two types Of
trccs-opcn center md central lender
is largely n mnttcr OF personal pref.
crcnce. II In cinImcd TINT tree with
n central lender will withstand storms
md winds better thnn mn open.centcr
tree. but growers nre not unanimous
In this opinion.