Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 September 1912 — NECESSITY OF FREQUENT AND VIGOROUS PRUNING OF TREES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

NECESSITY OF FREQUENT AND VIGOROUS PRUNING OF TREES

In Order to Preserve Symmetrical Form and to Prevent Fruit Being Borne at Extremity of tlie Lons* Slender Branches, Careful Heading'ln Is of Much Importance.

(By L. C. CORBETT.)

During the early years of the life of both ornamental and fruit trees a vigorous use of the pruning knife is frequently necessary. Trees normally make much longer natural growth during the first ten years of their existence than later. For this reason, in order to preserve a symmetrical form And to prevent the fruit being borne at the extremity of long, slender, branches, careful heading-in is necessary. With pears and apples the min body branches left at planting time should not be more than eight inches long. At the close of the first season, when pruning time arrives, the growth of that year should again be shortened to at least one foot and each of the main body branches should be allowed to carry not to exceed three subdivisions, each of which should be eight inches long. The third year the fame operation should be repeated and instead of allowing each subdivision to carry three branches the number should be reduoed to two. The arrangement of these branches should in all cases be based upon the same principles as the arrangement of the branches on the main body of the tree.

It is not reasonable to expect that every tree planter will have observed all of the proper precautions in caring for his ornament? and fruit trees. It

therefore frequently happens that the removal of large branches becomes a necessity. The question then arises how shall this be accomplished with as little injury to the plant as possible; in other words, how shall the cut be made? Those familiar with the propagation of plants from cuttings, as well as those who have observed the results of pruning trees, will have

noticed that when branches are cut at a certain distance from their origin, the stub which is left invariably dies, decay follows, finally the rotten stub breaks off close to its origin, and a cup, which catches the rain, is left. This is also an attractive spot to many birds and rodents which are fond of nesting in such places. They assist the natural decay by excavating, and thus accelerate the work which the

elements have begun. The result is that the branch which was removed for the purpose of lengthening the life of the tree and to improve its appearance has in reality been the direct cause of its early destruction. The decay in the stub which breaks off near its origin does not stop at that point, but the factors which have been the cause of Its decay and death continue their work upon the heartwood of the plant, until the hollow trunk of the tree only remains. On the other hand, if the branch is removed at another point the wound is rapidly covered by new growth, and in the course of two or three seasons it is practically Impossible to determine where the branch formerly appeared. These results, which are so important to the life of the tree and to the success of the plantation, whether-ornamental or economic, are well understood by all plant physiologists. The stub which is left when the branch is removed, if cut off at some distance above its origin, invariably decays and leaves a hollow branch, while the branch which is cut off close to its origin almost invariably heals quickly, the new growth covering the wound.

Results of Correct and Incorrect Pruning. A, Correct Method; B, Incorrect Method.

Progress of Decay Due,, to Improper Pruning, a, Dead Stub; b, Decay of Heart.