136 STEMS 



2. The struggle after light tends to make trees naturally 

 become tall. By removing those branches which are tallest, 

 the light is admitted to those farther down, and a tree of 

 lower habit is the result. This renders the harvesting of 

 fruit much easier. 



3. Since different kinds of trees have different habits of 

 growth, it is necessary for the orchardist to study his trees so 

 as to be able to prune them intelligently. Many valuable 

 fruit trees have been injured through improper pruning. 



4. Ornamental shrubbery is pruned to modify the shape. 

 Catalpa, mulberry, privet, box, bay, and osage orange are 

 familiar examples of plants which are pruned in this manner. 



When to prune. The time for pruning depends on the 

 object. Winter pruning is performed when wood production 

 is desired. Summer pruning leads to the production of fruit. 

 August pruning is practiced by orchardists. Hedges are 

 pruned in March before the spring buds have started. 



How to prune. The best implement for pruning large 

 branches is the saw. Smaller branches are removed with 

 pruning shears. After a tree is bearing, the terminal buds 

 can be pruned by merely pinching off in late summer. 



In removing branches the cut should be made close to 

 the trunk. A stump should never be left projecting from 

 the main branch, for it furnishes a good place for decay to 

 set in. Suckers from the root should always be kept cut 

 away, since they often come from below the graft and hence 

 they would produce inferior fruit if left to grow. The freshly 

 cut surface of the stump should be painted over to exclude 

 decay germs. In case of splintered branches broken by 

 storms the boughs should be sawed off and painted. All 

 diseased branches should be removed to prevent the spread 

 of infection to other parts of the plant. 



