CARE OF FRUIT TREES 
Newly planted trees should be well cultivated the first season, to conserve moisture and to keep 
down weeds and grass. It is not always good economy to intercrop with grass, small fruits, or grain, 
unless the young trees are making extraordinary strong growth. When the trees are well established, 
the spaces between the rows may be used for other crops for a few years, until the trees need the space; 
but while making their initial growth the trees ought not have to compete with other crops for the plant- 
food in the ground. 
One of the most important items in the care of Fruit Trees is to see that they are trained right from 
the start. Our two-year-old and larger sizes have the heads already formed, with three to five scaffold 
limbs well arranged along the trunk to support the head. These trees should be cut back, leaving just 
the scaffold limbs shortened to the point where it is desired to have the head of the tree. 
One-year trees, or whips, should be trimmed to smooth, straight stems, cutting them squarely off at 
the distance from the ground, 2 14 to 3 ft., at which it is desired to have them branch. Usually, apples, 
plums, pears, and cherries are headed a little higher than peaches, which ought to be encouraged to 
branch as low as possible. 
The after-pruning is a matter which requires some knowledge of tree-growth and habit, as well as 
the purpose for which the trees are grown. In general, it is best to thin out the previous season’s 
growth, especially in the first few years of the tree’s life. Afterward, pruning may consist of cutting out 
dead wood, and keeping the center of the tree open to the air and sun. 
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