Too Much Pruning.

Same peach trees entering the third year were pruned early in the winter very severely.  The pruner merely left the trunk and the three or four main laterals, the latter about one foot in length.  A large proportion of these trees have not sprouted as yet, though alder and better pruned trees are all sprouted in the same vicinity.  The bark is green and has considerable sap.  Will the trees commence to grow?

The trees will sprout later, after they have developed latent buds into active form.  The pruning probably removed all the buds of recent growth.  After starting they will make irregular growth, starting too many shoots in the wrong places, etc., and considerable effort will be necessary to get well-shaped trees by selection of shoots in the right places and thinning out those which are not desirable.

For Broken Roots.

When the root of an orange or other fruit tree is exposed or brakes by the cultivator, what is the best way to treat that root?

Where a root is actually broken it is best to cut it off cleanly above the break.  This will induce quick healing over and the sending out of other roots.  Where there is only a bruise on one side, all the frayed edges of the wound should be cleanly cut back to sound bark, which will have a tendency to promote healing and prevent decay.

Pruning in Frosty Places.

This appears to be a frosty section.  Pruners are at work continuously from the time the apricots are harvested until spring arrives.  From what is said in “California Fruits?” I judge late winter pruning would be best far apricots and peaches.  Am I correct?

In frosty places it is often desirable to prune rather late, because the late-pruned tree usually starts later than the early pruned, and thus may not bloom until after frost is over.

Low Growth on Fruit Trees.

Should the little twigs an the lower parts of young fruit trees be removed or shortened?

An important function which these small shoots and the foliage which they will carry perform is in the thickening of the larger branches to which they are attached and overcoming the tendency of the tree to become too tall and spindling.  This can be done at any time, even to the pinching of young, soft shoots as they appear.  It must be said, however, that in ordinary commercial fruit growing little attention is paid to these fine points, which are the great enjoyment of the European fruit-gardeners and are of questionable value in our standard orcharding.  It is, however, a great mistake to clear away all low twigs, for such twigs bring the first fruit on young trees.

Are Tap-Roots Essential?

Is it better to plant a nut or seed or to plant a grafted root; also is it better to allow the tap-root to remain or not in event of planting a grafted root?