138 



PRUNING 



little choice as to seasons so far as the effect on the tree is con- 

 cerned. There is this objection to autumn pruning that the 

 wounds made then have to stand a long time before they can 

 begin to heal, which means, of course, that they dry out and die 

 back further than they would if made at any other time of year. 

 And yet other considerations may entirely offset this objection. 

 For example, renovation pruning is frequently done in the autumn, 

 because the owner wants to begin the fight on the San Jose scale, 



Fig. go. — A long stub left in pruning. Such a stub is sure to decay before it can heal over. 



Fig. 67. — An old stub beginning to decay. It is impossible for such stubs to heal over 

 and every one is a menace to the tree. 



and this can not be done to the best advantage until the 

 dead and half -dead branches have all been removed. It ought also 

 to be said here that there is no harm to the tree from pruning 

 when the wood is frozen. It may harm the primer but not the 

 pruned. There is also probably little harm to the tree from 

 bleeding, though it is best to avoid it if possible. It produces 

 more favorable conditions for disease germs and possibly weakens 

 the tree slightly. 



