Pruning Young Trees 93 



Some growers object to heading-in trees at all, for the 

 reason that all of the buds are likely to develop into 

 branches and so the formation of fruit-spurs is retarded 

 and the surplus branches must be cut out. But it is 

 highly desirable that all of the buds should develop, and 

 then by heading them back to spurs, as just mentioned, 

 the formation of fruit-spurs is largely under control of the 

 pruner. 



Any tendency toward one-sidedness may be corrected 

 to some extent, and open spaces filled in by choosing 

 branches that are already growing in the general direction 

 of the vacancy. Then, by cutting to a bud that is on the 

 side toward the opening, such faults may be gradually 

 overcome. 



Third year. The framework of the tree should now 

 be well formed, so that it will require less attention from 

 this time on. Surplus branches and those that rub or 

 are inclined to form crotches should be removed. Very 

 vigorous growths should also be headed-in. 



Application to pyramidal trees. Thus far our discus- 

 sion has been confined to the shaping of open or vase- 

 formed trees. If a leader is desired, the treatment is 

 practically the same, except that the upper shoot is 

 allowed to grow with little heading-in. Branches are 

 allowed to develop on this leader at proper intervals, using 

 the same care as to location, pruning, and development 

 as in the former case. 



A Study of Examples 



A discussion of some photographs of actual experience 

 in pruning young trees will help to review and fix the 



