TRIMMING NUT TREES. In transplanting the trees they should have the 
tops reduced according to size. A tree one or two years from the graft should 
be trimmed back about a third of the preceding season’s growth. On older trees 
cut out undesirable limbs and cut back the preceding season’s growth two-thirds. 
This is done to balance the many hair roots which are lost in digging the tree. The 
trimming of trees when transplanting is usually practiced with all deciduous 
trees when transplanting them except where expensive methods of moving them 
with earth are employed. Many people prefer to keep the present top on a tree. 
In this case, the tree is usually lost. The top which is reduced in the spring at 
transplanting time will be regained with its next season’s growth. It is always 
good to leave plenty of leaves on the tree because they are part of the tree's 
natural function of respiration. Do not attempt to cut off any new growth of 
the tree until the end of the second growing season. If a side shoot on the trunk 
of the tree above the graft is growing too fast it is better to pinch the head out 
of the shoot and allow the few leaves to help shade the trunk of the tree for the 
first year or two. Allowing the tree to shade itself in this manner is far more 
important than any preparation we have yet tried. The next best method of 
shading the trunk of a tree during hot weather is used only on three year trees, or 
older, by merely wrapping the trunk of the tree with heavy paper or burlap. 
This should be removed after danger of sun scaling is over in the fall. 
Shaping and trimming a tree is, after its second growing season, a matter 
of good judgment. Almost every one can tell a nicely shaped tree from a poorly 
shaped specimen and for that reason with thought upon the subject most people 
know which limbs to cut off and to let on a tree for a good specimen. The tree 
can be trained each year if necessary. When cutting limbs or branches off make 
a clean cut close to the tree so it will heal over in as short time as possible. Dead 
and decaying stubs in a tree are harmful in appearance and to the long life of a 
tree. A tree is a living thing not endowed with the ability of choosing the place 
where it will grow and keep itself well groomed. Trees have helped conserve and 
build up the soils we have today. Let us treat them kindly and give them the 
care we can. 
