ROOT PRUNING APPLES AND PEARS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9763, 26 June 1897, Page 9

ROOT PRUNING APPLES AND PEARS.

— .■♦.., ' . The Apple is a less deep rooting tree than Uie Pear, but both strike roots almost Straight down in loose soils, producing few fibres, and consequently the trees are unfruitful. Root-pruning is intended to bring too gross growing trees into a bearing state by checking exuberance of growth. It is 'ess needed when Apples are-worked on Paradise stocks er Pears on tbe Quince, but all, in most soils, require root-pruning during the earlier stages of their career.

When the trees are over-luxuriant uncover the roots, see where the strongest and most straight-down are, and sever these within a a foot to a yard of the stem of the tree, according to its size and strength, any long and bare horizontal roots being treated- in a similar manner, taking especial care of the fibres and small roots. If the trees are very vigorous atfd the roots are large and few, it is a safe plan to operate on one side only one year and defer the other until the next, for root-pruning should never be carried to excess, but looked upon as a means of checking luxuriance and increasing the fruitfulness of the trees. Some judgment must be exercised, not forgetting that root-pruning lowers the growing powers of the tree, and that stunted growth is as undesirable as exuberance.

Moderate root-pruning is safe, and far more effective than pruning the tops of trees. The cuts of the roots should be made on the under side, and a_ clean as possible. The best time to eperate is as soon aft the leaves commence falling, Fears bsing sooner fit for root-pruning than Apple trees, but the work may be performed any time between the fall of the leaves and the commencement of the buds swelling, always ehoosifig mild weather, with the soil in good working condition. Shortening the roots and thinning the branches of too strong growing trees undoubtedly incite to the formation of blossom bucfe.