144 



THE PRUNING OF PLANTS 



cut on the under side of the branch about half-way through 

 the limb and then finish the removal of the branch by sawing 

 it through from the top. 



The Pruning of Young Trees. — The pruning of a young 

 tree differs greatly from that of a mature tree. The object 

 in the pruning of young 

 trees is to shape their form J 



and to develop a uniform 

 and a symmetrical top. 



Young trees are always 

 more vigorous growers than 

 old ones. Greater annual 



K 



Fig. 65. — The proper distribu- 

 tion of the main branches on a 

 young tree. 



Fig. 



-Heading back of a one- 

 year-old tree. 



growth is always made, and because of this rapid accumu- 

 lation of wood it becomes necessary to shorten some of the 

 branches and to entirely remove others, in order to prepare 

 a good framework for the tree. Young trees are usually 

 pruned more heavily than old trees. Pruning of a young 

 tree should be done every year for at least five or six years 



