The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1924-03-27
PRUNING


PRUNING
Purpose of Pruning
The practical grower OF trees an
shrubs Is frequently taken to task b
the would-be tree protector becaus
he cuts out branches which ar
neither broken nor dead, but are \
healthy, fourishing condition. Tn
argument used by this critic ie tina
in nature 1t is not necessary to Gu
ont branches and otherwise mutilat'
trees; that, In order to allow tai
plant to assume its natural and nor
NAL form. ne pruning should be done
and that the use of the knife 10 de
terminal to the best interests Of thA
tree, and should therefore be dis.
conraEed. The practical grower
however, Knows too well the results
which follow from this laisseE fAtre
method of handling trees In orchards,
parks, and other ornamental planta-
tons.
Pruning Fruit Trees
With fruit. trees pruning is i'm
portant because 1t can be used for
the purpose of checking the growth
as we'll as for the purpose of thin
ming the fruit. 1t is an old and well
established maxim among fruit
growers that whatever tends to
check growth increases the fruitful
ness of the plant. Pruning can be
used to accomplish this result to q
certain limited degree. Plantations
which are tardy in coming into bear
ing, may, therefore, by judicious
pruning, be brought into profitable
production.
Accelerating Growth
Contradictory as it may at first
thought appear, pruning Is fire.
quently severely cut back during the
resting period in order that all the
strength of the root may be forced
into the formation of single up
right stalk, which will make the
plant salable nursery tree.
Remuneration Of Old Trees
Severe pruning is also resorted to
with older plants for the purpose OF
rejuvenating them. Old apple trees
and old shade trees are frequently SO
treated, in order to induce them to
throw out strong new shoots.
Effect on Fruit Crops
With such plants as the peach,
which bears its fruit upon the
growth of the previous year, prun-
ing is of great Importance, as the
grower can reduce the crop in pro-
portion to the capacity of the tree.
fruit growers thoroly
the Importance of gaug-
ing the quantity of fruit allowed to
be borne by a tree of the capacity OF
the tree, the ability Of the tree In
this respect being measured by the |
rate of growth, the variety, and the
soil and climatic conditions to which
It is subjected.
Control of Disease
Pruning is of prime Importance
also in controlling the action OF some
,f our most dreaded plant diseases.
The study of pear-blight, for in
,tance. has shown that this disease
q very generally communicated from
plant to plant by insects, thru the
pollen, as they pass from blossom to
blossom, or, later in the season, from
shoot to shoot. 1t is also believed
hat the disease can be carried by
he wind and that infection can take
)lace while the vegetative processes
ire active and the tissue at the ends
II the branches can easily be entered
" the germs of the disease.
Pear-Blight II
The way in which pruning is OF
ervice in controlling pear-blight Is
IS follows: 1t is the natural tendency
4 the pear and the apple while
Dung to form fruiting spurs upon
he body and larger branches Of the
rec. These fruiting spurs produce /,
blossoms from year to year, which
re in turn as liable to be visited by |,
ees or other insects carrying the !,
estructive spores of the pear-blight +.
a are the blossoms at the extrem-
les of the branches. 1t is evident, :
therefore,, that a blossom situated
pom the body or larger branches OF :
tree becoming infected by this dis
ase would communicate 1t directly 2
, the framework of the tree, with E
ae result that the tree would I'M
oubtedly be fatally injured; but II
lese fruiting spurs are all elim1nA
ted from the body and larger main
ranches of the tree by careful prun- :
IL, the possibility of infection IN
lis way Is overcome. The available @
eans of gaining entrance to the
ZEE by this parasite is confined to
le smaller branches, which, II al Z
,cted, can be cut away without
,verely injuring or disfiguring the ;,
zee. 4
Forming the Head q,
One of the most important steps fl
the development of either an or II
plantation or commercial
'chard is the proper arrangement
Id height of the head of the plants. >,
18th most shrubs distinct body is 80
It desirable. The bush form, which y
ore nearly approaches the natural a.
hit of the plants, is more pleasing o. o.
an the tree form, but with shade :, =,
ees, aside from evergreens, the -
ne tree type is most desirable; that 80
a long, clean bole reaching from h.
g greensward to the main struc- a.
e,