PRUNING 



B. SzTMONiAK, Extension Specialist in Fruit and Truck Growing. 



Tiieie i.s more doubt on tlio part of orchnrdists about proper molh- 

 ods of pruning than of any other orchard oi)eration. So many variable 

 factors have to be considered, that it is difficult at times to combine 

 all of them and decide on what is best to do. Climate, seasonal 

 changes, latitude and altitude, soil fertility, purposes for which the 

 trees are grown and the inherent changeable nature of trees are some 

 of the things that influence growth and fruit production and deter- 

 mine how, when and what to prune. In spite of these variable and 

 influencing factors, there are certain fundamental principles which, if 

 followed, may simplify to a great extent and standardize the methods 

 of pruning. The purpose of this bulletin is to explain and demon- 

 strate some of the more important principles. 



Objects of Pruning. : 



The maximum annual yield of marketable fruit without devitalizing, 

 ihe trees is the most important object of pruning. Other reasons fon 

 pruning are as follows: 



1. To train the trees to a desired shape and form in order to faciliT, 

 tate spraying and harvesting the fruit. 



2. To distribute the branches to admit air and sunlight. 



3. To regulate wood growth and fruitfulness, 



4. To correct undesirable habits of growth. .■• 



5. To cut out interfering branches. 



6. To control insects and diseases. 



Principles of Pruning. 



Pruning is a method of bud selection, pennitting the desired buds to 

 grow and eliminating undesirable ones. In order to follow the rea- 

 sons for pruning, it is necessary to be able to recognize the different 

 kinds of buds and the kinds of growth produced on the trees. There 

 are four kinds of buds that are important in relation to pruning, and 

 four kinds of growth. The four kinds of buds are as follows, — fruit 

 buds, leaf or Avood buds, tenninal buds and adventitious buds. The 

 four kinds of growth are growth in length, lateral growth, root growth 

 and the growth produced in healing of wounds. The growth produced 

 in healing of Avounds is influenced by the methods of pruning and the 

 condition of the trees. The buds are formed on different kinds of 

 growth on different varieties and species of trees. The apple, pear 

 and American and European plums form their fruit buds on short 

 twigs or spurs which re(]uire two or more 3'ears of growth. Peach and 

 Japanese plum trees produce fruit buds on the current season's growth, 

 usually in the form of long whips. The peach, pear and grape read- 

 ily produce new growth from old wood; this growth is produced from 



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