230 



PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF PRUNING 



the number of branches to each 6 inches of height of trunk begins 



at the 24-inch height instead of at the 36-inch height in the case of 



the larger trees. 



In a further study, the results show that the largest number of 



branches to develop upon the first or lowest 6 inches of trunk-occur 

 in the 6-inch treatment. The largest num- 

 ber of branches upon the second 6 inches 

 of trunk, or from 6 to 12 inches above the 

 point of budding, occurs in the 12-inch 

 treatment. The largest number of 

 branches upon the third 6 inches of trunk- 

 is also found to occur in the 8-inch treat- 

 ment. Thus far, then, branches have de- 

 veloped more freely upon the 6 inches of 

 trunk immediately below the point where 

 the tree was cut back. The trees in these 

 treatments, then, follow the plant law that 

 growth is strongest at the tips of the 

 branches (91). 



Beginning with the 24-inch treatment, 

 however, the largest number of branches 

 is not found upon the 6 inches of trunk 

 immediately below the point where the 

 tree was cut back. Before this exception 

 is discussed further, it may 'be well to 

 note what the results were in the case 

 of the other lots of trees. . At that time 

 the location of the branches upon the un- 

 prunecl trees was not considered to be of 

 any practical importance. 



One lot of trees behaved somewhat 

 differently from that just referred to. 

 There appears to be a great tendency for 

 trees at all dried out to develop the 

 greater number of branches on the first 

 6 inches of trunk near the ground regard- 

 less of the pruning treatment. This is to 

 be expected perhaps since that portion of 

 the tree would dry out more slowly than 

 any other. The trees pruned to 12 and is 

 inch trunks did not develop the greatest 

 number of branches along the 6 inches of 

 trunk immediately below the point of 

 cutting back, as was the case with the freshly dug trees. 



Several other facts may also be noted. The number of branches 

 developing on the first 6 inches of trunk tends to increase with the 

 severity of the pruning. The 18-inch treatment falls below its proper 

 place in the scale, but the figures undoubtedly correctly indicate the 



FIG. 197 



PEACH TRUNK, 2 

 This is a close view of the 

 upper section of a trunk one 

 year old. Letters show 6- 

 inch lengths. Note bud and 

 branch formation. 



