Evening star., 1926-02-20
PRUNING FRUIT TREES

Ten years have wrought a revolu-
ton in our knowledge of pruning the
young fruit tree. No longer is the
paraphraSed adage Spare the prun-
ing knife and spoil the tree" in order.
Studies checked by the results of ac-
tual practice, have shown beyond
doubt that severe pruning is detri-
mental to the young fruit tree, work
ing injury not only In delaying the
beginning of fruiting but also by
greatly reducing the size and vigor Of
the tree itself.
Pruning, to be successful, should
have a picture in his mind of the ma
ture tree, with its ell-distributed
branches capable of bearing heavy
crops of fruit. 1t is always better to
shape the tree according to its natural
habits Of growth, erect. as with the
Yellow Transparent apple or wide
spreading, as with the Rhode Island
Greening apple, for many tree will
follow the inherent plan of nature
despite any controlling measures.
There is an undoubted advantage in
starting with thrifty 1-year-old trees,
even though these are usually only
straight whips. without side branches.
Using such trees, the lower set of
Aiiiipo Sdll Dt ny SSlecIlnS
three buds at the desired height from
the ground and distributor as equal
ly as possible around the trunk.
These buds should, however, be To-
Gated at slightly different heights
from the ground so as to avoid weak
functions or crotches. Many a splen-
did tree in full vigor has broken down
under the weight of fruit or ice sim
ply because of a poor selection Of
these primary limbs. The buds below
and Immediately above the chosen
three should then be rubbed off. The
buds higher upon on the main stem
should be left to develop leaves and
future limbs. Thereafter, until fruit
ing age, the less pruning given the
young tree the better. Conflicting and
crossing tw1gs should be removed but
all the short branches arising within
the tree should be left untouched, as
these are the first to develop fru.ting-
wood and blossoms. The tendency for
the limbs of young trees to grow erect
need not concern the grower as this
condition will in most varieties be
remedied naturally in later years by
the weight of the fruit
With the beginning Of fruiting, the
pruning problem is changed No
longer Is 1t necessary to withhold the
knlfe and the saw, for, without prun-
ing, the tree soon becomes overloaded
with weak, spent growths incapable
OF yielding high-grade fruits. And,
since only a small percentage Of the
total blossoms are needed for a full
sized crop. the judicious removal of
old and thinned twigs will not only
strengthen those left, but also aid in
introducing light into the heart Of the
tree. In this manner the tendency of
unpruned trees to produce their fruit
in the top of the tree will be over
come and finer fruit will occur
throughout the entire tree.
During recent years much informa-
ton has been presented on the direct
relationship between growth and
fruiting. Too little or too much vege-
tative growth in a mature tree means
unfruitfulness. In the bearing tree
the trouble is usually due to too little
growth and hence regular annual
pruning during the Winter season will
do much to encourage new growth,
and, incidentally, by encouraging this
growth, will tend to Offset the habit
Of bearing in odd years. condition
which is peculiarly eXasperating to
the owner of one or two fruit trees.
Annual pruning and the judicious
thinning of young fruit should go
hand in hand with the other opera
tions which keep the tree in a -four
fishing condition. The soil should be
rendered fertile by tillage and cover
crops or fertilizers while sprays or
dusts should be applied regularly to
keep insects and diseases in restraint
Yearly care along these lines Is neces-
sary II the owner Of fruit trees would
expect good crops Of choice fruit.