The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-03-13
The Pruning Campaign

lance of this phase of orchard work,
and to interest as many orchardists
as possible in the county in pruning
more of their trees in 1924.
WHY is PRUNING NEEDED?
This question can be answered
briefly by stating that pruning when
properly practiced will increase the
yield. While little information is
available showing the advantage to
be derived from pruning in terms of
dollars and cents, we do know that
the most profitable orchards are those
which are regularly and carefully
pruned. 7
! Probably most orchard men prune
more or less each year but many
either hurry to get the job done as
quickly as possible or neglect to
prune a larger or smaller portion of
the orchard. Such practice while of
some benefit, does not tend to secure
the maximum production and the
spring work should be so arranged
/ that sufficient time is allowed to
/ thoroughly perform this very i'm
portant phase of orchard manage
ment. In addition this work need
not necessarily be lengthy or expen-
siVe, once the trees are put in shape,
but can be confined to the removal
of small limbs in such parts of the
tree as is desirable.
WHY DOES PRUNING INCREASE
YIELDS?
This question can be answered in
three ways:
/. With neglected trees. By cut
ting out all dead, dying and diseased
wood, the healthy shoots are given an
opportunity TO develop and to bring
forth vigorous spurs which later pro-
duee strong fruiting buds. Such
spurs are not handicapped by INSULT
cfent food material or disease infec-
ton and can function properly.
2. With wen cared for trees. By
thinning out the surplus growth, food
material is distributed more uniform
ly to the remaining spurs with the
result that they are stronger, more
active and better capable of produc-
ing strong fruit buds.
Unless such pruning is practiced
more spurs may develop than can
be properly nourished and those
nearest the points of growth, that
is, nearest the terminal buds or
branches, secure the food material
and those farther back in the tree
are partially starved; while ca
pable of developing blossoms, such
spurs may not be able to set fruit
except at long intervals.
3. With overgrown trees. Such
trees are the most difficult to regu-
late, and the thinning out of small
branches must be undertaken with
care, otherwise the energy of the tree
Is directed to further wood produc-.
ton and away from fruiting. The
aim should be to allow for circula-
ton of air, entrance of sunlight and
directing the surplus food material to
the use of spurs rather than to foil
age growth.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO
PRUNE?
This question can only be answer
ed with some qualifications. The
number of trees, available help wea-
Their and condition of the trees are
some of the factors that must deter
mine the time to begin pruning. TAX
ing the apple sections of the state as
whole the best time usually ranges
from March 49, to April Is. or after
the wood has thawed out and before
foliage growth begins.
If, however it is a large orchard in
poor condition and only a limited
amount of help is available, it will
be necessary to start early enough
to get the job done by May l. or in
time for tho dormant cnrav proh-
ably if it is necessary to begin while
the wood is frozen " will be best to
remove only the dead and diseased
wood for much of our die-back is due
to pruning live wood before it thaws.
CONCLUSION
Prune every tree each year; regular
pruning not only stimulates produc-
ton but in the long run is cheaper
and requires less time.
In some cases it may be better to
take out the surplus growth in from
two to four years rather than all in
one year.
Proper tools make the job easier.
Different trees, and different yarie-
ties require different cutting but the
principles in pruning them are the
same
Proper treatment of woods is very
important.
Start in when the weather is right
and do a thorough job.
EXTRACTS from Extension Bulletin
No. 1875, University of Maine).
--------------------
n