with Abe Treeseal Pruning Grade. This thick, flexible emulsion helps prevent decay, supports callus formation and protects against moisture. Find it at your nearest Agrimark or online.
GARDEN
FRUIT TREE PRUNING
July is the month to prune fruit trees to make sure you have a bountiful supply of fruit during the summer months. There are many reasons to prune fruit trees. In its early years, you shape the tree so that it develops into a nicely balanced framework, with good spacing between the branches so that the tree is able to carry the fruiting wood. The second reason is to keep the tree free from dead wood, as this encourages pests and diseases. We
Tip: Finish off by sealing large cuts
with Abe Treeseal Pruning Grade. This thick, flexible emulsion helps prevent decay, supports callus formation and protects against moisture. Find it at your nearest Agrimark or online.
www. agrimark. co. za
also prune to remove weak shoots and branches, which might rub against one another or grow into the centre of the tree. You want light and air to reach the centre. Fruit trees are also pruned to control their height and shape. Remember, the taller the tree, the more difficult it will be to harvest successfully, as some of the fruit will be inaccessible. In the first few years, the method of pruning fruit trees is basically the same for all deciduous fruit trees. The