156 



PRUNING OF PLANTS 



immediate, and again they are not seen for two or three 

 years. 



As the tree grows older, and the terminal growth threatens 

 to become excessively long, it should be cut back, and the 

 tree thinned out. This pruning is usually done some time in 

 June, although it should usually be distributed over two 

 periods in order to avoid excessive priming at one time. 



Fig. 69. — The proper way to cut off 

 a large limb. Note how the wounds 

 are healing. 



Fig. 



70. — A large wound en- 

 tirely healed over. 



The Pruning of Old Trees. — The object in pruning an old 

 tree is merely to keep the branches thinned out, to remove any 

 water sprouts that may occur and to take out all limbs that 

 are interfering with each other. If the tree has been system- 

 atically pruned during its early growth very little pruning will 



