Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1921-04-19
Pruning Problems,

There arc many problems that con
front the individual as be goes into hil
orchard to prune. Every tree offers 9
different problem every year. The ad
vent Of the small, swivel-bladed pruning
saw marked new era In pruning. II
Is easy now to properly saw limb and
the ordinary Individual finds pruning 9
pleasure In Maine are . great many
old orchards In which 1t becomes neces
sary to remove large limbs. For this
work heavy, swiVel.bladed saw should
be provided.
A low-headed tree or . high-headed
tree is determined very largely by the
first cut made after the tree Is planted
By outing back the top of the one year.
old whip, and by careful selection ol
limbs to leave on the two-year-old tree,
the height of the head can be establish.
ed. The fear of snow injury to . low.
headed tree may be largely overcome by
tying the limbs together in the fall, thus
preventing them from spreading In the
snow and breaking when the snow set
ties.
The type OF head for the tree may also
be established by early guiding of the
limbs. Proper cutting Of the tree at the
time 1t is set out furnishes basis for
future training. 1t is necessary to fol-
low careful program of summer prun.
ing in which the energy of the tree is
guided in the desired direction rather
than into useless branches. The cut
ing done the first season usually settles
the matter of type of head but some
times 1t becomes necessary to continue
this work several seasons.
The size of the trunk and the strength
of the unions of the branches frequently
indicate the efficiency of the tree. The
strong, stocky tree eliminates the cost
of propping and holds its shape through
a long period of heavy yielding. This
factor of efficiency can be regulated
largely by cutting back yearly growth.
In some orchards the time has passed
when 1t will be possible to re-establish
the foundation limbs. In such orchards
there are many trees having an evenly
divided crotch which threatens to break
the tree asunder when it is laden with
fruit. These crotches may be benefited
somewhat by adopting the plan Of heavy
pruning for one side and light pruning
ON the other, thus sending the energy Of
the tree more into one side and strength
ening that side.
All orchard men strive to bring their
trees into early bearing. This can be
accomplished by definite and carefully
worked out System of pruning. Briefly
1t 10 this: Careful guiding Of the tree
the first two seasons that they are In the
field. Shape and strength are secured
at the start by this program. During
the next few seasons train the tree care
fully by summer pruning, removing on
ly misguided limbs; each spring cut few
II any large limbs and cut back new
growth sparipgly until the tree begins
to bear. For the next two or three years
the pruning must be light to prevent
throwing the tree into the production OF
wood instead Of fruit.
Many young trees become broken or
csnted and then there is real problem
of how to rebalance the top. Usually
heroic treatment is necessary and new
growth must be forced ont in the form
Of water sprouts 40 that some can be
selected to fill In the portion vacant.
Trees yielding an annual crop should
never be severely cut. The program
best suited for this type of tree is a
systematic thinning Of small limbs which
otherwise might soon cause a congested
condition of growth on the outside OF
tho tree. Some summer cutting will
have to be done on the inside of the tree
IN most cases.
Keep pruning tools sharp, plan the
work systematically, study each tree as
an individual problem, don't put of
pruning any year but 60 over all the
trees every season.-Prof. q. P. Sweet