Fig. 9.—Typical Languedoc almond tree in University Farm orchard; nine years old.
To be most effective, pruning must be followed systematically throughout the entire life of the tree. The details of the practice will vary greatly, depending on the soil, moisture and climatic conditions surrounding the tree, as well as other treatment accorded it. At planting time, it is generally agreed that the tree should be cut back to between 18 and 24 inches from the ground to reduce the top to correspond to the shortened root system and to form a low head for the tree. A low head is desirable to avoid sunburn of the trunk and to keep the tree within easy reach for pruning, spraying and harvesting. During the first summer in the orchard much can be done to obtain a well-balanced head, to get the main branches well spaced on the trunk, and to prevent crowding later on, by pinching out all undesirable growth as fast as it appears and forcing the growth into those parts of the tree which are to remain. If these branches tend to grow too long and willowy, they may be made to branch by pinching back when they attain the desired height. In this way, if the tree can be kept growing vigorously, the beginning of an excellent foundation framework may be developed the first year.
Fig. 10.—Typical Nonpareil almond tree in University Farm orchard; nine years old. Note numerous water sprouts which must be removed.
Fig. 11.—Typical I.X.L. almond tree in University Farm orchard; nine years old.
The following winter, when the tree is one year old in the orchard, if it has grown too vigorously and the branches are too long and willowy and not properly branched it should be headed back to improve the shape and symmetry of the whole tree. If the tree has not made sufficient growth to give it a properly shaped head, it should also be cut back even more severely than in the case of the too vigorous growth. There sometimes will be trees that during the first year will develop such a well-shaped and stocky frame that no further heading will be necessary, all future pruning being limited to thinning out undesirable and interfering branches. Ordinarily, however, it will be highly desirable or necessary to continue the practice of heading-in the yearling tree at least. As long as heading continues it will pay to give special attention to pinching and thinning the following summer. In this way the frame of the tree may be developed more quickly and the future necessity of heading be materially lessened. In rich bottom lands where moisture is plentiful, heading may be necessary when the tree is two, three and, in extreme cases, 4 years old, in order to spread the tree and prevent it from growing too high. The necessity for this can only be determined by a careful study of the tree itself and the conditions surrounding it.
Fig. 12.—Typical Ne Plus Ultra almond tree in University Farm orchard; nine years old.