Pruning Young Trees 99 



Subsequent Pruning 



The form of the young tree should be well established 

 after the third season. From this time on the question of 

 pruning is merely to retain, so far as possible, the form we 

 have started, to prevent the formation of crotches and 

 cross branches, to thin out an excess of branches so that 

 sunlight may be admitted and the amount of bearing wood 

 reduced and renewed. 



One of the peculiar effects of high altitude, with the ac- 

 companying sunshine on plants, is that it induces fruitful- 

 ness and early bearing. Many varieties of apples produce 

 paying crops when the trees are six years old, and the tend- 

 ency of young trees to overbear annually is pronounced. 

 We therefore are rarely obliged to prune to induce fruitful- 

 ness. Should such an occasion arise, the following should 

 be borne in mind : Prune in summer to induce f ruitf ulness, 

 and in winter to promote wood growth. This is true 

 for the reason that summer pruning checks the growth 

 of the tree by removing a part of the leaf surface. An 

 injury of any kind will have the same effect; likewise a 

 weak-growing or sickly tree should be severely headed-in 

 while still dormant in order to induce a vigorous top 

 growth. 



Thin out the top every year. No general rule can be 

 given, as each tree presents a different problem. A thick 

 growth of branches results in weak-bearing shoots and 

 spurs. And finally, when cutting back limbs on bearing 

 trees, the cut should be made just above a strong lateral 

 wherever possible. The tendency of the sap will be to 

 flow into the lateral, and thus prevent the formation of 



