-21- 



2. Maintain conical tree shape by removing large limbs in the 

 top third of the tree or cutting back to a very much weaker 

 side branch. 



.3. Initiate a limb rotation program in the top 1/3 of the tree 

 by retaining weak branches, spreading desirable watersprouts 

 which in turn may have to be removed when they become too 

 large. 



4. Remove watersprouts which are not needed to protect branches 

 from sunscald or to provide for branch renewal. Those retained 

 for branch renewal generally require spreading. 



5. Remove weak drooping branches which are severely shaded and 

 have few fruiting spurs. 



6. Reduce the height of excessively tall trees by stubbing to 



a strong outward growing lateral branch originating at a lower 

 level on the leader. 



7. Frequently a strong scaffold branch with a narrow crotch angle 

 develops in the upper 1/3 of the tree. If this branch is not 

 removed or its growth restricted, the tree will become a 

 multiply leader tree. Trees of this type are much more diffi- 

 cult to prune when practicing containment pruning or lowering 

 tree height. 



8. Delicious trees are subject to weak crotches, and branches are 

 prone to develop whorls and to droop. The ends of drooping 

 branches should be removed back to a lateral growing in a 

 somewhat upright position. This will shorten and stiffen the 

 branches. The tip of the lateral on a pruned drooping branch 

 should be higher from the ground than any other portion of the 

 branch. This should reduce the problem of suckering. 



9. Cortland produce many small lateral branches. Detailed pruning 

 is required to reduce the number of these branches. Remove 

 slender hanging branches. Thin out the remaining branches on 

 each scaffold limb. 



During August remove 1 to 3 year old wood that is causing shad- 

 ing. Concentrate efforts in the tree's periphery and particularly 

 in the upper crown area of the tree. Remove watersprouts, risers 

 and shorten drooping limbs that are too close to the ground. If 

 the trees have not been pruned well during dormant pruning, it 

 may be necessary to remove a few large limbs at their point of 

 origin on the trunk in the lower two-thirds of the tree canopy. Avoid 

 thinning or stubbing large branches in the top 1/3 of the tree. 

 When these branches fall they cause bruising and drop of some fruit 

 on the lower branches. 



