. Bulletin . (a) (b) Fip. 11.—(a) Young apple tree before corrective pruniriK- The two main branches have formeda weak fork at o. (b) Same tree after corrective pruninp. One of the main branches has beencut back heavily at b to a desirable lateral. The pruned branch will gradually develop as a side limb, correcting the weak fork. 4. Do not head back except to repress excessive growth, formnew branches, and to prevent the formation of crotches and forks. 5. Prune lightly—if in doubt about what to cut dont cut. 6. Fertilize, if necessary, in cultivated orchards and always insod orchards to keep
. Bulletin . (a) (b) Fip. 11.—(a) Young apple tree before corrective pruniriK- The two main branches have formeda weak fork at o. (b) Same tree after corrective pruninp. One of the main branches has beencut back heavily at b to a desirable lateral. The pruned branch will gradually develop as a side limb, correcting the weak fork. 4. Do not head back except to repress excessive growth, formnew branches, and to prevent the formation of crotches and forks. 5. Prune lightly—if in doubt about what to cut dont cut. 6. Fertilize, if necessary, in cultivated orchards and always insod orchards to keep up growth. Remember that a tree must de-velop bearing wood before it can fruit. 20 Pruning Bearing Apple Trees Soon after the trees come into bearing,, it becomes necessaryto help keep up the annual growth by pruning and by the use ofnitrogen fertilizers. To do so with fertilizer alone makes the treeso dense that the fruit does not have as good color, quality, or size. Fig. 12.—A well-pruned Rome Beauty apple tree trained to a modified, central leaderwith strong, weil-spaced, side branches. as it does when the trees are handled with a well rounded programof both pruning and fertilizing. System in Pruning.—Few growers pay sufficient attention tothe details of the various orchard operations. In pruning matureapple trees, one should use a definite method of procedure withevery tree. Then, if extra help is hired, good results can be securedfrom their work. 21 With bearing trees the pruner should use the followingmethods. 1. Remove dead or diseased wood. 2. Do any corrective pruning and take out any large limbsnecessary to improve the shape of the trees. 3. Start at the top of the tree to do the first thinning outpruning and work down. 4. Always begin at the tips of the branches and thin work back along the limbs, distributing the cuts so that theremaining wood is well spaced and secures plenty of light. 5. Remove water sprouts unless they
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