Rensselaer Union, Volume 5, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 April 1873 — How to Restore Trees Killed by Frost. [ARTICLE]

How to Restore Trees Killed by Frost.

The following is taken from the report of a recent meeting of the Michigan fruitgrowers at Battle Creek: In view of the fact that thousands of the fruit trees, especially the peach, have been in jured by the severe cold of the present winter, and that many have been killed out-right, it will be seen that anything that might indicate a practicable relief from the loss that will fall upon this branch of industry will be hailed with satisfaction. On this subject, which was next taken up by the society, the views of Mr. Hartford, of Indiana, were called out. He said that in the cold winter of 1856 he had an orchard of thrifty young trees absolutely killed to the snow line, and of course a total loss as far as appearances indicated or experience could suggest. Knowing, however, that the trees had been vigorous and that their roots must possess considerable power of reproduction, he proceeded to cut off the entire top of every tree that had been killed, and lett nothing but unsightly stumps throughout the orchard. The spring came on, advanced somewhat; he watched his stumps with anxiety; found that numerous buds started out from these stubs, put forth their shoots and made a remarkable growth, and in two years he had as good and healthy an orchard as that Which had been cut off by the frost. Since that time he had frequently occasion to treat other trees in a similar manner, sometimes cutting off injured branches only, and had almost uniformly had good results. But it is necessary to cut off the injured branches of frozen tops as early as possible after the snow is gone, and. always before the sap has begun to ascend the tree. Other gentlemen expressed their opinions upon this very important point. To the argument that this process would cut off the present season’s product was an swered that in orchards whose trees are badly injured the crop of this year is out of the question; often the orchard may be saved by a timely application of the surgical knife, and in two or three years be in as good condition as before frozen. A true economy cannot fail to indicate the course to be pursued.