Identification

1

• Identification Cultivation

2
Chapter 11 Pruning

• Should we Prune?
• Proper pruning improves a trees appearance,
  conserves its strength for a longer life,
  produces better fruit

3
Reasons for pruning

• Train tree to grow into good shape
• Keep it a convenient size
• Remove broken branches
• Decrease bearing surface of tree
• Remove crossed limbs
• Remove extra tops
• Open the tree up, renew bearing wood

4
When to prune

• When planting a bare root tree
• As the tree grows, to correct it
• Remove suckers and sprouts

5
How to prune

• If for fruit, prune differently than for
  landscaping
• Will prune less if grown for beauty

6
When to prune

• Northern states warm days in early spring
  before growth begins
• Warmer climates prune during the winter
• Do not prune late spring or early summer, bleed
  badly

7
Methods of pruning

• Leader
• Modified leader
• Open vase

8
Prune for which fruit?

• Heavy fruits such as apples, pears, peaches need
  strong central leader or modified
• Lighter in weight fruits, cherries, plums,
  apricots can use open vase pruning

9
Where to prune?

• Where does the fruit produce?
• On branches or on spurs?
• Most stone bearing fruits bear on spurs
• These trees require less pruning

10
Pruning Tools

• Hand clippers
• Long handled pruners
• Fine tooth saw
• Pole pruners
• Will need tree paint for the wounds

11
Making the Cuts

• Cut small branches back to another branch, bud,
  or trunk
• Leave no stub can cause cankers
• Cut above bud that is on the outside of a branch
  to promote spreading tree

12
See page 93
13
Pruning tips

• Dont butcher the tree
• Dont be stingy either
• Prune each tree to its growth
• Dont allow trees to branch to close to the
  ground in heavy snow country

14
continued

• Remove wood and trimmings
• Prune every year
• Avoid chain saws for pruning
• Be careful not to over prune a neglected tree
• Prune with confidence
• Keep tall growing trees low for picking

15
Conclusion

• Pruning is simple but it is a task that must be
  done on a regular basis to have good healthy trees