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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