218 



PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF PRUNING 



growth will cease to be troublesome. Prune the trees in 

 practically the same way as those that grow straight. 



Pears may carry more lateral wood than apples. They 

 spread relatively farther when they ])roduce a heavy crop, 

 so one should avoid thinning the young trees excessively. 

 Keep all spurs, or fruits (19tj) from the main trunks and 

 low down on the frame branches, as these are a source 

 of infection from the blight. It is also wise, in pruning 

 in any district where fire blight is troublesome, to see 

 that the pruning tools are carefully sterilized (Fig. 183) 

 before the cuts are made. 



174. Recommendations for cherries. — Formerly the 

 cherry was headed at about 35 inches. Many growers 

 head at 20 to 25. They arc building very nice trees. 

 There seems to be a prejudice against pruning a cherry 

 tree. The first six years it may be pruned about the same 

 as has been directed for apples. Summer pruning is 

 recommended, as splendid results may thus be obtained. 

 The cherry has a tendency to shoot up 

 in the air very rapidly, making an 

 enormous growth the first two years. 

 The result is that the average grower 

 has not the nerve in the winter to cut 

 this back severeh^ so he leaves his trees 

 too leggv (Fig. 184). One way to over- 

 come this leggy, high type of growth 

 is to cut l)ack the terminals in the sum- 

 mer. A very good type of tree to get 

 would he the Mazzard body, making the 

 trunk and main frame branches of the 

 Mazzard, later budding these over. 

 This will give strong crotches and there 

 will l)e little gumming and loss from 

 trees of this type. Should cherry trees 

 need heavy cutting, do not hesitate to 

 take large branches. However, take 

 care to protect the wounds carefully 



FIG. 182 

 PRUNED PEAR 

 Typical five-year 

 Winter Nelis pear tree. 

 Note that the center is 

 being suppressed. This 

 tree gives indication of 

 bearing a crop. If it 

 should bear, it will 

 stand heavier cutting 

 back next season. 

 Compare with Fig. 174. 



