Details of Planting an Orchard 



91 



other two as would result in a symmetrical spacing of the 

 limbs. A space of several inches between the stubs, 

 vertically up and down the stem, is desirable, 

 since a stronger tree will result than when the 

 framework branches all start from the trunk at 

 about the same height. 



In planting the larger grades of trees, the 

 tops obviously must be formed at a height 

 determined by the position of branches suitable 

 for the framework, but the common extremes 

 for heading peach trees as preferred by most 

 growers range from 12 to 18 inches up to 24 or 

 30 inches. Some, however, have favored forming 

 the heads within 6 inches of the ground, thinking 

 thereby to bring the bearing surface correspond- 

 ingly near the ground. But there are disad- 

 vantages in forming the heads too low, of which 

 perhaps the most serious is in digging out borers. 



The effect of pruning peach trees at different heights when 



planted has been investigated by Blake.^ His 



final summary of results affirms that "Peach 



trees at the time of planting should be pruned 



somewhat according to grade and the character 



of the stock, and not according to some definite 



height regardless of all other factors." He 



finds there is a fairly close correlation between 



the size of the trees and the number of buds 



that occur on the main stem at different heights 



and that a tree will start into growth better and 



will develop a better formed head the first season, if the main 



stem is well supplied with buds just below the point at which 



1 N. J. Exp. Sta. Bull. 293. 



Fig. 7. — 

 The tree in 

 Fig. 6 with 

 the branches 

 cut back to 

 stubs. 



Fig. S. — A 

 view looking 

 directly down- 

 ward on the 

 top of the tree 

 in Fig. 7. 



