PRUNING NURSERY STOCK 



173 



trunk was 4 to 5 feet; during 

 the first decade of this century 

 3 to 4, because low-headed 

 trees are steadily gaining in 

 popularity. Still more recently 

 certain nurserymen have been 

 heading their trees still lower 

 or in some cases allowing prac- 

 tically all of the lower limbs to 

 grow (Figs. 195, 200). The 

 distinct advantage of this prac- 

 tice is that the purchaser may 

 start the head just where he 

 happens to want it. 



149. Trimming trees at trans- 

 planting time. Because such 

 a large proportion of the root 

 system is left in the soil when 

 nursery trees and shrubs are 

 dug, even when the trees are 

 most carefully lifted, it is nec- 

 essary to establish a new baK 

 ance between top and root. First, how- 

 ever, all torn, dead and injured roots 

 should be pruned back by clean cuts 

 through living parts of these roots. A 

 knife makes a clean job, but shears do 

 quicker work. Both implements should 

 be keen-edged. On the roots slanting 

 wounds which face downward are sup- 

 posed to heal more quickly than those 

 facing upward or to one side. Second, 

 the top must be considerably reduced, 

 otherwise the trees may suffer, be slow 

 to establish themselves. Often they 

 die. Peaches are usually trimmed to 

 a mere whip, but apples, pears and f r 'J nk J, 2 ^ 



FIG. 125 



PEACH OF POOR FORM 

 This one-year tree failed to de- 

 velop well-placed branches on the 

 main trunk. Compare Fig. 126. 





FIG. 126 



AFTER PRUNING 

 The same tree as in 

 Fig. 125. The dead 

 cut out. 



