Pruning Fruit Trees

Northern Advocate, 14 June 1947, Page 2

Pruning Fruit Trees

Fruit trees will require pruning as they mature and ripen their wood. This ripening period, however, extends over several months. Towards the end of the present month, peaches, nectarines, apricots, many varieties of plums and small bush fruits are generally quite ready. They might well be pruned between the middle and end of the present month. Other fruits as pears, apples, quinces, etc., are often in full leaf, and are better left until next month. The most successful growers consider that good cultivation is necessary, and that annual pruning is necessary to keep the trees in a healthy condition to bear fruit. In any case, it is a mistake not to prune, as with stone fruit particularly, dead lower branches are encouraged, and these are just not ,wanted. Top pruning, like hedge pruning, encourages healthy lower growth, which means better general health to the tree, and easier harvesting of the fruit. If you' do nothing else, just cut out the longer of the two terminal shoots, thus encouraging the younger and more vigorous growth. Young trees, of course, should be pruned with the idea of shaping them, giving them the maximum amount of fresh 'air and sunlight. Aim to shape | the trees with a general downward j taper, i.e., tumbler-shaped. All weak and useless growth, as well ns dead i wood, should be-cut right out. The! stronger or bearing shoots might be • cut back a third or a half according! to the vigour of their growth. It ( may also be necessary at times to i cut back some of the older branches so as to keep the tree within rea-1 sonable bounds. The branches should i not be allowed to overcrowd. Citrus trees want little pruning, and this is better done when danger of lrosts is over. Just thin out, so as to allow the light to filter through the fcliaae. • 1