GARDEN TREES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 July 1938, Page 4

GARDEN TREES

SHOULD BE MADE SHAPELY. Many trees planted in large gardens and reserves are spoiled in their early years by inattention to pruning. Instead of developing a single trunk, supporting a well developed head of branches, they divide a few feet from the ground into several heavy branches, and never attain their normal'eight. When trees are close together in plantations, they grow rapidly in height, and the lower branches are killed through lack of light. When the same kinds are planted in open positions there is a tendency for the branch system to develop at the expense of height. Some of the finest specimen trees of the present day began life as plantation trees, which after being drawn up to a considerable height were given more room by the removal of the turrounding trees. This is .done so that a good branch system may develop on a well-grown trunk. When trees are isolated in their early days, the regulation of trunk and branches must be brought about by pruning. Trees of the largest size should not be allowed to develop dual trunks. The tendency to production of more than one trunk should be checked as soon as noticed. The correction of inequalities by pruning should commence early, and be continued until the trees appear able to maintain uniform development. In pruning the first object should be to clear the leading shoot of all possible rivals, then to check vigorous side i branches, or remove any which can be spared. When the branch system is dense, a'branch may be removed here and there right to the trunk; and an occasional low branch must be removed with the object of giving the future i tree a definte section of the trunk free from branches. Too rapid removal of lower brancnes may weaken me main stem. In all cases the wounds should be pared smooth and given a dressing of good lead paint. Remove broken branches.

The decay set up by dead stumps of broken/ branches may result in the trunk becoming hollow. Pruning is best carried out in summer, for although some kinds' of hardy trees can be pruned throughout the year, there are others such as the walnuts, birches and maples, etc, that “bleed” badly if pruned in late winter or early spring. After the leaves are fully developed, all kinds can be pruned with safety.