IN THE ORCHARD
From page 39
opening up the centre of the tree to allow sunlight to penetrate . In cutting shoots always aim to cut away above a bud which is growing outward from its surrounding shoots . In most cases this will be the second , or at most third , bud on the shoot up from where it joins the tree . This is the best way to open a tree up to light . It is difficult for a beginner to visualise what the finished tree should look like and the best way to do this is to choose one branch , ie a relatively contained part of the tree , and consciously set about its shoots and buds , even counting out loud as you cut away . Once you have removed your two-thirds on one branch you will have a visual reference as to how the rest of the tree ( and indeed the orchard ), should look when the pruning is complete . When the tree is finished , you should be struck by how bare and angular it looks compared to what it was before . Some tips on cutting : ❑ Be careful not to damage the bud above which you are cutting , and cut on a slope , the upward end of which should be just above the bud itself . ❑ Be careful not to let your saw damage other bark or branches while you cut . ❑ Be careful to make a clean cut and not to strip away bark on thin shoots as this lets disease into the tree . Some say that one should seal the cut ends of the larger branches and shoots with a tree sealer after the job is complete . Others say this simply poisons the tree . Whatever your choice , if you are going to seal the cuts , don ' t do it with paint , creosote or anything not specified as a tree sealer . Once the tree is pruned , spray it liberally with lime sulphur at the designated dilution . Wear protective clothing and be aware that lime sulphur spray is both stinky ( think rotten eggs ) and poisonous to livestock , insects and bees , so only do so on a still , dry day .
Too close
Wrong angle
Too far above
Incorrect and correct ways to cut above a bud
Some also like to paint the trunks of their trees with whitewash , believing this prevents ants from attacking the upper branches . Run your prunings through a chipper and either add them to your compost or apply them directly around other plants as a highly effective and ( once they decompose ) nutritious food for your soil .
Perfect !
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