158 THE PRINCIPLES OF PRUNING 



The rational heading- in of trees for the purpose 

 of correcting the habit devolves upon four con- 

 ditions or factors, the rapidity or amount of 

 growth, the distance apart of the trees, whether 

 the trees are dwarfs or standards, and the personal 

 choice of the owner of the trees. 



In fruit trees, annual growths of three feet or 

 more may be headed-in, particularly if the trees 

 are close together and it is necessary to reduce the 

 size of head. This operation is necessary only with 

 young and unfruitful trees, as a rule, for we have 

 found (Section 5) that mature and fruit -bearing 

 trees rarely grow wantonly. If mature trees are 

 making too much growth, the fundamental 

 remedy is to check the growth rather than to 

 cut it off, for heavy heading- in tends to augment 

 the difficulty (Section 1). The growth may be 

 checked by modifying the tillage or fertilizing of 

 the plantation, unless the excessive growth is due 

 to excessive pruning. 



In dwarf trees, it is essential that heading- in 

 be practiced, in order that the top shall not 

 overbalance the root. This question is discussed 

 in its specific aspects in Chapter V. 



In general, the matter of heading- in resolves 

 itself into a question of personal ideals. If the 

 owner wants a thick -topped and round -headed 

 tree, heading -in is necessary. If he wants a 

 free -growing, open -centered tree, heading -in 

 should be avoided, except, perhaps, while the 



