FRUIT TREE PRUNING.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 57, 8 March 1911, Page 3

FRUIT TREE PRUNING.

(By A. E. McGomas, in the Motueka Star.) ~

THE APRICOT

SUMMER TREATMENT.

Owing to the vigorous growth frequently made by young apricot trees, more especially when planted in rich soil or under the forcing influence of a good season, it is most necessary; in the early stages of forming the young tree, to deal with them in the summer time. The. tendency of one limb or portion of the tree to "run away into vigorous growth" is a most noticeable feature of the apricot. If this habit is not checked the framework of the tree will be spoiled-and the weaker growing branches will be prevented from making headway. Further, and perhaps of more consequence still, is that' tMfe sappy and vigorous growth is,, if ; "left. untouched, of no use, and is liable to be broken down by winds, owing to the heavy weight of foilage they usually carry. . The pinching off of the sappy growing points about midsummer will act as a check to their rapid extension and help the backward ones to get in more even terms with them. This process also enables the. grower to frame his tree at least a season earlier than if he relied in winter pruning alone. Another tendency of this tree is to send out a number of superfluous shoots, which, from their position, are of no value at all, and on account of the mass of foliage they usually carry only prevent the light and sun from, getting in and benefiting te tree. When these shoots, are too numerous or obstructing the inside of the tree it is necessary to rub them off or disbud them while they are small rather than leave them to grow during the spring, taking strength and nourishment out of the tree, although it may be the intention of the pruner to deal with them at the winter pruning. Hard winter pruning especially on vigorous growing trees, has a tendency to induce a number of shoots to also start from the leading branches, and these cannot all be retained, it w'll be necessary to completely suppress all except those which are required for the formation of the tree towards the end of the summer. Where any shoots are growing vigorously and filling up the centre of the tree, and providing they are not necessary to the formation of the tree, it will be_ advisable to shorten them back in mid-summer to about 6 to 8 inches. This will enable the buds in the remaining portion to start for the coming season. Even at the risk of reiterating previous statements, I will again remind my readers that any time spent, although that time may be at a busy season and hard to spare in opening out the tree and suppressing unnecessary growth, thus affording light and sun, at the time wEen the tree most requires it, is a work well

and profitably done. If it were not that abundant proof of this has been afforded to those who have tried it, the summer dealing of trees would not have received the attention that it does at the present time by those who look to getting the most profitable results from them. Beyond the treatment mentioned it is hardly possible to do anthing further in the way of green pruning of the apricot. Some growers go so far as to recommend cutting half the growth of theleaders about mid-summer, but as previously stated the apricot will not always stand such severe treatment. If anything in this way is done at all, the breaking of about one third of the growth might be tried, allowing it to hand, thus checking the growth, but still affording a restricted circulation of the sap throv-h the bark at the fractured part. RENOVATING OLD TREES. It may safely be said that both the apricot and peach tree require more renovation at the hand of the pruner than all other fruit trees. Probably the main cause is that the proper care and attention to pruning so as to keep furnishing fruiting wood, as they require to extend the profitable period of their existence is not afforded them. A straggling exhausted apricot tree, bare of fruiting wood, bearing only intermittent f crops of poor fruit is certainl- most unprofitable, and the sooner its renovation is taken in hand the better. Owing to the tendency of bot?i the apricot and peach, through tIM circulation of the sap to furnish the upper parts of the tree with fruiting wood, it inevitably causes the lower portion to be more or less bare. The grower has to remember that in all his trees, such bare and unprofitable wood is worse than useless, besides getting no return from the sap absorbed by it is to some extent robbing the- more profitable part of the tree. It was mentioned with the peach that after or 10 years fruits ing, it is necessary to commence cuttins:, back-the leaders for three years with, a view of reinvigorating the» tree. Much the same process is required for the apricot-cut back the leaders just above the secondary arms This will have the effect of stimulating the dormant buds whicE existed there into strong, erect shoots which may be taken to form neV leaders This system, as with the peach, has one advantage, .that it ' .does not rob the grower of the fruit during, the season it is in progress. Another method is by stumpma the tree back to the main arms and fpstarting a new top: but to do this it >s rincessnrv that the tree mnst be healthy otWwis» there i« the danger «r +Je sudden check killing it out-