Pruning of Deciduous Fruit Trees. l8o 



arm, so placed as not to interfere witli each other in subsequent 

 growth. By devoting- a little time during the growing season which 

 follows to stopping any strong shoots that may break out below the 

 terminal buds, the trees should present tJie appearance depicted in the 

 plate above after the next or second winter pruning. 



The second winter after planting, the bearers, of which there 

 should be six, are again cut back 12 to 15 inches from where their 

 growth began, all side shoots being removed. As in the previous 

 year, select buds on the sides of the leaders which will produce two 

 more growths well spaced. This is considered drastic treatment for 

 youil^' trees, but it cannot be too strongly emphasized that iiic sole 

 object during the hrst three years after planting is to encourage 

 growth and build up trees with strong risi'id limbs, hence all the 

 energy of the trees should be directed to the formation of wood, so 

 that when the bearing stage is reached the crop is borne without any 

 breaking down of branches. 



In the third winter after planting the trees having been carefully 

 attended to, at least twelve strong, evenly spaced growths should be 

 found awaiting treatment, also an abundance of side growtJis along 

 the arms lower down. Up to this stage no wood has been letained 

 for producing fruit, the sole aim having been to shape the tree. The 

 desired form having been obtained on well-spaced arms and branches, 

 some attention can be directed to securing a crojD during the incoming 

 season. The twelve leaders are pruned back to a length compatible 

 with stability, as further growths will arise on these after pruning. 

 The remaining growths should l)e thinned out, if too crowded, others 

 shortened back to carry a medium crop of fruit. This will only occur 

 in some varieties of stone fruits, as most varieties of apples and pears 

 do not arrive at the fruiting stage until they are much older. From 

 now onward the winter pruning will never be as severe as formerly. 

 The trees are reaching the stage when regular annual crops may be 

 expected ; the object then will be to keep the trees in healthy growth 

 so that the shape is maintained and fruiting wood is freely produced 

 or renewed. All trees will increase in size year after year, the leaders 

 will become crowded and prevent the sunlight from ripening the 

 wood and fruit unless annually reduced. It is best not to increase 

 the number of leaders after the third winter pruniug, for not only do 

 they prevent light entering, but weaken and spread the tree too much 

 when loaded with fruit. With many varieties of trees — especially 

 vigorous growers — over-pioduction of laterals (side growths) occa- 

 sionally happens; these may be thinned out, and others cut back or 

 left alone according to their position on the tree. Care must lie 

 exercised when cutting', otherwise many laterals are pruned too 

 severely and only vigorous growth results, defeating the aim of the 

 grower wlio desires regular fruiting. 



Reasons for Pruning. 



The fundamental ])rincii)le of pruning demands that an even 

 distribution of foliage shall be maintained, encouraging an even dis- 

 tribution of fruit-bearing wood, so that no one part of the tree will 

 suffer at the expense of the other. Any cutting performed whilst the 

 tree is dormant tends to promote vigorous growth by reason of the 

 same am-ount of root action expending its energy over a reduced 

 number of branches. New buds, too, possess greater energy rhan old 

 ones, and where their development is forced direct channels are made 



