THE CHEM AW A
AM ERICAN
17
production, while summer pruning lessens wood production and induces
fruitage.
How to Prune: Pruning is an operation that should not be done
carelessly or hurriedly. The pruner should study each tree as he prunes
it and each branch as he removes it.
When heading back young trees or cutting off the tops of last year’s
growth out of older trees the cut should be made slanting away from
and about one-sixteenth of an inch above the first end bud that is intend
ed to grow. A longer stub than this will dry, crack and form an entrance
for fungi, or bacteria. A shorter stub will usually result in the death
of the first bud.
When pruning trees that have a dense upright habit of growth cut two
outer buds in order to spread the naturally narrow compact top; but when
pruning spreading or slender growing trees, cut the the buds that point
toward the center of the tree in order to throw the limbs inward and
upward.
In the removal of lateral branches from either young or old trees cut
parallel with and close to the main stem. Never leave stubs from one
to four inches long in hopes that they will develop into fruit spurs, since
less than five per cent ever become fruit spurs and the other ninety-five
per cent die, dry up, and leave excellent gateways for the entrance of
disease into the wood of the tree. Young lateral branches when shorten
ed back, especially after the spring growth has taken place, very fre
quently develop fruit buds and spurs.
In the removal of large branches from old, or bearing, trees, always
make the cut parallel with the branch, or main stem, from which the
one is removed. This frequently means a larger wound than it would
make if the cut is made at right angles to the limb that is to be re
moved, but such wounds will heal quicker and is less injurious to the
tree than the much smaller ones that leave the collar of the branch to
be covered with healing tissue. Do not hesitate to remove large, use
less limbs from the tree, but always make smooth, clean cuts with a
saw, and if necessary to prevent splitting the stem or peeling the bark,
make two cuts, the first from six to twelve inches out from where the
limb is to be finally cut off. Nothing can be applied to the wound to
hasten the healing.
Wounds an inch or less in diameter need not be treated, while larger
wounds may be advantageously treated with a thick coat of lead paint.
Cheap mineral paint or tar should not be used upon fruit trees, as it
kills the young, tender bark, while grafting waxes crack and peel off be
fore the wound is healed. Any antiseptic that will keep the moisture
out makes an excellent coating.
Pruning is a matter of common sense and should be practiced as such,
and not according to any specific rules.