412 



PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF PRUNING 



the case is very doubtful of success. Don't be disturbed 

 by the small dead branches in the top. They have died 

 probably for lack of light or because of pest injury. Pay 

 special attention to the suckers and the water sprouts 

 (Fig. 32). The former indicate the vigor of the roots, the 

 latter of the branches and the trunk. Judicious spraying 

 will exterminate most of the insect and disease enemies 

 and give the trees a clean bill of health. Carefully save 

 the water sprouts until after all dead and incurably 

 diseased wood has been removed; then thin them out, 

 exercising care to leave those that will fill in the blanks 

 where limbs have been removed. 



In every orchard each tree must be studied as an indi- 

 vidual problem. Some specimens will need little pruning, 



but the majority will 

 probably need a great 

 deal. Just how much 

 to do will depend upon 

 the amount of dead 

 and diseased wood in 

 the top, whether or not 

 the top must be low- 

 ered, and the number, 

 size and position of the 

 water sprouts. Trees 

 in fairly normal condi- 

 tion and of a 1 re a d v 

 convenient height will 

 need only normal 

 pruning; those with abundant dead wood and excessive 

 growths may have to be heavily pruned, and those too 

 high for effective spraying, economical thinning and 

 harvesting may have to be dehorned (Fig. 320). 



When a high-topped tree with no water sprouts to fall 

 back upon must have its head lowered, then to rely on a 

 light pruning would be a mistake, because it would not 

 force the water sprout growths desired. A severe 



FIG. 322 ISOLATED APPLE TREE BEFORE 

 PRUNING 



