The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1920-07-08
Winter Injured Trees
(By Gordon G. Brown


For the benefit of those not present
at the meeting of fruit growers at
Pine Grove a few days ago, at which
time the treatment Of winter injured
trees was considered by myself, this
statement is issued.
II is desired to make the situation as
plain as possible so the grower may
decide for himself what he will do
with certain injured trees.
1t was explained that the so called
balance existing between the root sys-
tenn and top has been greatly disturbed
| by injury to the latter. The extent to
which the top has been injured varies
all the way from almost nothing to as
high as 100 per cent. The killing back
Of so much tissue above ground, how.
ever, cannot be in all respects likened
to the removal of a similar amount of
wood through the agency of pruning a
non-injured tree. Were such the case.
the wood growth on trees now making
but feeble growth would be tremen-
dous. The remaining tissue is also
injured, which explains why Vigorous
growth thus far has not resulted.
1t will be well to explain briefly how
tree functions and what lack of bal
ance means. Last year the trees had
large leaf surface, which was capable
of supplying the requirements of large
root system. The root and top are said
to be in balance as evidenced by heavy
fruiting and lack of excessive wood
growth. During the latter portion of
the 1919 growing season the leaf sys.
TEN was manufacturing and storing up
plant food for use during the 1920 sea-
son. This is the supply now being fur
nished by the root system, without
which present growth would not be
possible. Beginning with the formation
of the terminal bud. the leaf system
will again manufacture and store plant
food for next year and the further
maintenance of the root system. 1t is
apparent, therefore, that as much leaf
surface as can be maintained in VigOr- |
GUS condition should been encouraged |
this summer. Obviously no pruning |
which will remove leaves capable of |
should be done. To do so |
would mean root starvation and enfee. |
bled tree.
The above is not to be construed that
no pruning at this season is advised. !
The removal of dead limbs has certain
well worth while. Such |
limbs are more easily detected by the |
pruner now than during winter
and can therefore be removed at less
expense. Furthermore on trees with
fruit the tendency for such limbs is to
scratch the fruit and lower its quality.
The psychological influence on the
grower IN being rid Of so many "eye-
sores" is likewise apparent. Let the
grower decide now whether the tree is
worth saving. Do not be influenced
alone by the growth above the main
scratch. Examine the trunk thorough
y. At a distance it may look fairly
1ormal. Possibly it is girdled half way
around. That means a gaping wound
which may not heal over for many
years or probably never. In the mean
line it is subject to heart-rot and sim
lar troubles.
Regular painting and disinfectinp
must be done to save such a tree. The
writer doubts if it is worth while to
ave such a tree, especially if it is old
{ can be done, of course, and a fair
rec rebuilt. but it will probably never
again become a iTst-class tree. The
expense in rebuilding a tree is great in
hat much labor and time are expended
'1lOAN ~ NNiiiNo lllNb tull iIulllllE again. !
Furthermore, il is doubtful whether
pays to save trees with impaired
runks, especially where a larger por-
ion of one side of the top is dead.
,uch trees will require great care in
in order to induce proper
hape. Therefore, in deciding whether
o save tree consider the location and
Xtent of-injury, the variety and the
lme and expense versus what YOU will
ave as a reward for your trouble.
IT, however. the grower decides to
ave those tree, do not at this time re-
love anything but dead or dying wood.
10 matter what shape the tree may
ave when this is done, leave the re-
lainder. Next winter corrective prun-
lg may be attempted, but it is out of
lace now
Care must be exercised TO avoid sun
aid where large limbs are removed.
his is important Keep the wounds
linted and cover the trunk and main
ranches with whitewash in order TO
fleet the suns rays as much as possi-
e.