AMONG THE FRUIT TREES

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29299, 2 September 1960, Page 6

AMONG THE FRUIT TREES

It has been abundantly proved that fruit bearing goes hand in hand with the full development of the tree, and anything which interferes with, or prevents such development must have an adverse effect upon crops. If normal growth is unduly restricted to the point where stagnation is reached, the tree will go into a decline. Thus, the work of pruning must strike a happy balance between the necessity for leaving sufficient wood buds to carry on the normal growth and expansion of the tree, and the need to shape the framework of the tree to the best advantage. This is particularly so in the earliest stages. Once fruit bearing sets in, nature can be assisted by the cutting out of superfluous wood growths, the principal aim being to direct the energies of the tree toward the existing fruit-bearing branches and curtail the expenditure of that energy in the production of mere wood growth. Pruning has tyro essential objects—to build a correct shape and govern fruit production. Observation by the pruner on the after results erf his pruning is, perhaps, the best means of learning these basic principle.. Spraying, of course, must also be done, using red oil on pip fruits and bushes, and lime sulphur on all stone fruits before they flower. It is important to remember that the effects of spraying red winter oil on stone fruit trees can be very harmful, and does no good. ESPALIER FRUIT TREES

Maiden fruit trees as bought from nurserymen are untrained trees of one season's growth from the graft or bud. Those who have trees of this kind may like to train some as espaliers. The mode of procedure is to cut back the tree to three eyes or buds. During summer three growths will develop, the two lowest will form the side branches, and the topmost will form the leader. When next pruning the side branches, shorten by half to two-thlrds their length to induce formation of spurs. Shorten the leader to three buds, so as to form another pair of side branches. In succeeding years treat similarly, until ttie trees have attained their full dimensions or filled their allotted space. Building up a tree is extremely Interesting, and forms an instructiv eobject lesson from which amateurs can often obtain far greater knowledge than from already trained specimens.