PRUNE CORRECTLY, DEVELOP A STRONG WELL-SHAPED TREE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22662, 12 June 1948, Page 8

PRUNE CORRECTLY, DEVELOP A STRONG WELL-SHAPED TREE

The chief aim in pruning should be to prune the young tree so as to develop a strong, well-shaped frame. .In years to come the tree must htar a burden of fruit and to do this it must he so treated tiiat it will have sturdy limbs.

If the. limbs are allowed to weaken by excessive unchecked growth, and to commence cropping whilst the limbs are too fragile to bear the weight of fruit, the results may be disastrous. It will be most unsatisfactory and unprofitable to the grower to harvest a crop of fruit from trees if that crop has been produced at the expense of the well-being of the tree. If young trees are carefully selected and then sturdily built up, the subsequent cropping must be satisfactory. It is important to observe that if a good frame-work has been induced, and if the three is still growing vigorously, it is usually advisable to allow the tree to remain unpruned for a season. This will induce it to crop. It scarcely needs urging that the characteristics of any tree must be taken into consideration. It is well known that peaches bear only on last year’s growth and, unlike the apple and pear, the trees do not develop fruit-bearing spurs. In old apple and pear trees these fruitbearing spurs sometimes need .thinning out to prevent over-crowding and induce new growth. Factors which influence the growth and development, of trees, such as soil, location, character and influence of stock, manuring, cultivation and spraying, all play their part in deciding the extent and nature of the primer's operations, and prevent any rigid rule being laid down. Each tree has its own individuality arid this individuality cannot be ignored bv the pruner. The annual production of a crop, ample in quantity and good in quality, is the orchardist's aim. arid to accomplish this aim tire characteristics of each tree must be studied closely. The main objects to be secured by pruning may be briefly stated as follows; (1) The economic working of an orchard in all its brandies—cultivation, picking, spraying, etc. (21 The production of good bearing wood. (3) Improvement in appearance of fruit insofar at least as size and colour are concerned. (41 Inducement of regular cropping. (5) Maintenance of the tree in a healthy condition. (6) Opening up of (lie central axis of the tree to the influence of warmth and light..

Now we arc entering the pruning season in Gisborne the pruner should keep tiie forgoing objects well in mind and shape his operations accordingly.