CHAPTER VII 



THE ART OF PRUNING 



What is pruning? Why prune? The answer is that pruning is the 



removal of a part of a plant which is superfluous. The art, by the 



way, is an adaptation from Nature, who is a most 



Definitions pitiless pruner, as dead and dying wood in every tree 



and shrub proclaims. 



Taking a lesson from Nature, we can best make plain why trees 



must be pruned. Buds, twigs, and branches grow in such abundance 



in unpruned vegetation that they crowd, choke, and kill one another, 



only those stronger than the rest, or more fortunate in position, 



surviving. An unpruned orchard is full of dead or dying branches 



vainly stretching toward the light. 



. Two quite distinct ends are obtained by pruning — 



and^^ainine ^^ increase productiveness, and to increase the size 

 Distinguished ^^'^ quality of the crop — this is pruning proper. 

 Plants are also pruned to make them well-propor- 

 tioned and to give them such form that they may be easily managed 

 in the orchard; this is training. 



p . When the tree is ready to plant, it is necessary to 



When Setting ^^^ away part of the branches to enable the injured 

 root-system to supply the remaining branches with 

 water. The less the roots are injured the less the top need be cut 

 away. Many make a mistake by cutting back all of the branches. 



Stop a moment and think. The top buds on a branch develop 

 soonest and produce the largest leaves. Now a newly set tree will 

 grow best if it can develop a large leaf -surface before dry, hot weather 

 sets in. Therefore, instead of shortening in all branches, cut away some 

 of the branches entirely. The tree so pruned will start growth and 

 acquire vigor more quickly, and a better top can be formed. 



The peach is an exception, and young peach trees must have 

 their branches cut back to two or three buds. Of course, too, very 

 long branches of any fruit may be better cut back to reduce the tree 

 to symmetrical or manageable shape. 



Th w • Vit f ^ decisive choice must be made at the very start as 

 the Head *° *^® height of the head. Shall the tree be low- or 



high-headed? The choice should usually be for a low- 

 headed tree, for the reason that such a tree is more easily sprayed and 



41 



