STARTING CITRUS TREES IN ORCHARD 371 



PRUNING THE ORANGE 



All the considerations urged in Chapter XII in favor of low-headed 

 and strongly branched trees apply to the orange, though the habit of 

 the tree in growth and bearing requires different pruning policies. 

 The orange tree is more disposed naturally to assume a good form than 

 most other trees, and for this reason most experienced growers declare 

 their belief in pruning as little as possible. This is unquestionably good 

 policy providing attention enough is given to securing a shapely and 

 convenient tree, and to overcome the tendency in the young tree to run 

 out very long shoots which result in unsymmetrical shoulders with 

 hollows beneath them and obviate a weeping habit, which interferes 

 with irrigation and cultivation and prevents the development of good 

 bearing space above. It is so easy to bring the orange tree into good 

 form by a little hard thinking about what shape is desirable and a little 

 timely cutting and pinching to secure it. 



It has long: been held that the orange tree should assume a com- 

 pact wall of foliage. The interior of the tree being considered merely 

 the framework to support this and pump sap into it. Recently the 

 importance of removing dead wood from the center of the tree is 

 being urged, even though the cost is considerable, and a rational thin- 

 ning of branches to admit light and air in sufficient amount to secure 

 good fruit nearer the center of the tree is also being advocated and 

 practiced to some extent. All these progressive tendencies carry the 

 orange nearer to the application of the principles of pruning which are 

 discussed in detail in Chapter XII, including the rational recourse to 

 more severe pruning or cutting back to induce a growth of new and 

 stronger wood for subsequent bearing. In other cases cutting back 

 of varieties inclined to make a rank wood growth, like the Valencia Late 

 to encourage a better supply of fruiting wood, is being advocated. It 

 seems clear that there are important ends to be gained by more pruning 

 of the orange tree, and by earnest thinking and close observation along 

 this line. 



It has been held that it was necessary to prune the young tree to 

 quite a high head at first to allow for the natural droop of the branches 

 and the result is seen in many young trees with slim stems and um- 

 brella-like tops. It is better, to develop a stout stem by allowing for a 

 time a low growth upon it and then raise it later by removal of the 

 lower growth which has done good service and outlived its usefulness. 

 By wise under-pruning it is possible not only to secure a shapely and 

 convenient tree but also to so train the lower growth that it shall pre- 

 sent good, low bearing wood without groveling in the dust. 



Unquestionably the drooping habit of budded orange trees is largely 

 due to their treatment. A grower who does not believe in pruning 

 allows the branches to extend too far horizontally, and the weight of 

 the foliage and the early fruiting brings the branches to the ground, 

 To relieve the lower branches of the young tree of a part of this weight 

 will enable them to assume a better direction, and this slight relief at 

 first will prevent much branch-sawing in later years. The young tree 



