160 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 238 



Do not allow a scaflfold branch to compete with the leader, but keep the 

 leader ahead by pruning its competitors. 



Give the same treatment to any lateral growing- out of a scaffold branch; if 

 it competes with the leading shoot of the scaffold branch, cut it off. Stating 

 this a little differently, whenever a branch divides into two shoots of about 

 equal strength, remove one at the first opportunity. 



Pruning a scaffold branch or lateral to prevent it from outgrowing its fel- 

 lows should be done early in the life of the tree. The sooner the necessity for 

 cutting is seen the less will be needed and the less the leaf surface will be 

 reduced. Young trees should be pruned as little as possible and no branch 

 cut back or removed without good reason. Corrective pruning is, however, 

 highly important and often absolutely necessary in order to grow a strong, 

 well-formed tree that will produce a maximum of high grade apples. 



