THE ORCHARD CROP 



269 



tree planting, it is not likely to be made too compact. If left 

 loose the roots will dry. The entire root system should be in 

 close contact with settled soil. Watering the roots at the time 

 of transplanting is likely to do more harm than good unless 

 the soil is very dry. This is particularly true in clay loams. 



352. Shaping the top. As soon as possible after the tree is 

 planted, the top should be reduced to correspond to the cut-back 

 root system, so that the branches will not evaporate more water 

 than the limited root 

 system can supply. 



The apple, quince, 

 pear, and American 

 plum should have the 

 branching system re- 

 duced about one half 

 by cutting out super- 

 fluous branches and 

 shortening the others. 

 The peach, Japanese 

 plum, and kindred trees 

 should have all the side 

 branches removed and 

 the main trunk cut back 

 to a point where it is 

 desirable to have the 

 tree form its branching 



system. This is called pruning to a single " whip." The cherry 

 should be pruned least of all. If the young cherry tree has but 

 few side branches, it will need no pruning. If the top is too 

 large, one or two limbs may be .removed. The branches should 

 not be shortened, because the active buds of the cherry are 

 near the end of the branch, while the buds next to the base 

 are dormant and will start slowly if at all. The peach, however, 

 pushes out new growth readily from any of its parts, even from 

 the old limbs, and may be pruned as much as is required to 

 keep it within proper limits. 



FIG. 129. An "open head" apple tree 

 Diagram from University of Missouri 



