Pruning and Thinning 267 



scaffold branches after the first year. All others except 

 the leader are removed and the remaining branches are cut 

 back. In order that the leader may dominate for a time, 

 it is left somewhat longer than the other branches. On 

 vigorous trees as much as 40 to 50 per cent of the leader 

 is removed and from 50 to 60 per cent of the laterals. 

 The whole question of heading back'is a subject of varied 

 'opinion which will be discussed later. 



Additional laterals will develop during the second year. 

 One or two desirable scaffold branches may then be added 

 to the framework. The leader and selected laterals are 

 treated in the manner described for the year previous, 

 although heading back is usually less severe. 



The system is continued during the third and if neces- 

 sary even to a fourth or fifth year. When suitable scaffold 

 branches have been developed, the leader is removed and 

 there remains a tree with central trunk about six or seven 

 feet high along which are spaced three td six or even more 

 main laterals extending outward and upward in all direc- 

 tions at intervals possibly of 10 to 12 inches. 



Advantages. 



1. This system of training results in a strong tree since the 

 central leader is larger than the main or scaffold branches, thus 

 leaving strong unions, which are not likely to result in split- 

 ting. 



2. The weight of the tree is distributed along a trunk and 

 among several main branches rather than among three or four 

 branches with no central axis as is the case in open center trees. 



3. The system encourages a good distribution of main 

 branches about and along the central axis. 



4. Should one main branch break or be lost because of disease, 

 there is still a sufficient number from which laterals may be grown 

 to fill the opening and thus preserve the tree balance. 



