PRUNING THE DIFFERENT TREE FRUITS 251 



uniformly the tops of bearing trees each year. In some sec- 

 tions every shoot is headed back heavily with very little 

 thinning out, and the tops of the trees resemble a well-clipped 

 privet hedge. As a result of this practice, not only are tree 

 size and total yield reduced but also the fruit produced is 

 generally of poor color. •> 

 The shoots on heavily pruned trees also grow later in the 

 season and on account of poorer maturity are more subject to 

 winter injury in regions of low temperature. 



Fig. 89. Four-year-old peach tree before (h) and after (a) receiving a 

 light pruning. This tree has always been pruned lightly. Note that a 

 light thinning out and a light heading back of the main branches has been 

 given. This tree has a much larger bearing surface and is capable of 

 producing a much larger crop than a tree of the same age heavily pruned. 



The branches of bearing trees should be headed back 

 moderately to outward-growing branches (Fig. 89). The cen- 

 ters of the trees should be kept reasonably open in order that 

 the fruit will color well and in order to keep up the growth 

 of new shoots on the main branches (Fig. 90) . 



After four or five heavy crops have been produced, it is 

 well to head back more severely than usual for one year and 

 especially to cut out the higher limbs, which are growing to- 

 ward the centers of the trees. The tops of the main framework 

 branches may be headed back into two-year wood, leaving the 



