376 



S-TATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



PRUNING THE APPLE TREE JUST COMING INTO BEARING 



Fruit trees should be handled particularly carefully when they reach the 

 age or size at which fruit production should begin. In many ways this is 

 their most critical period. During the first few years following planting, 

 they usually make a vigorous growth. Their twigs are relatively rich in 

 nitrogen and low in starch and other carbohydrates. Severe pruning during 

 the period just preceding fruiting tends to continue this low carbohydrate 

 content and thus delays fruiting, for fruit bud formation is associated with 

 the accumulation of carbohydrates. Intensive cultivation and fertilization 



Figure 17. This tree is in need of thinning that should consist 

 in the removal of many small branches, seldom over two years old, 

 rather than the wholesale slaughtering such as its neighboring trees 

 had received and is illustrated in Figures 18 and 19. 



have similar effects. If pruning is largely confined to a very light thinning 

 out, and this is in conjunction with moderate cultural practices, there is a 

 tendency for the carbohydrates to accumulate, and the tree becomes fruitful. 

 It is evident then, that, after the framework of the young apple tree is es- 

 tablished, the pruning should be limited to the removal of injured and dis- 

 eased branches, the occasional removal or shortening of closely parallel and 

 crossing limbs, and the thinning out of a limited amount of superfluous new 

 growth to admit light to all parts of the tree. Even this treatment should be 

 very largely confined to the previous season's growth. The grower may be 

 warranted in omitting the pruning for a year or more in cases where the trees 



