Pruning and Training - Growing Organic Orchard Fruits - page 577

pieces and can form a bark inclusion, as shown in figure 12.4 ➔ . Water and
microorganisms become trapped in the inclusion and contribute to the de-
velopment of wood rot. Insects also find narrow crotch angles to be a good
entry site, and trapped water can freeze, causing branches to split apart. If
you can see a ridge of bark between the branch and trunk, there is no bark
inclusion, but you may still want to spread the branch to increase the branch
angle.
FIGURE 12.3
How to Remove a Large Limb to Prevent Bark Tearing
ABOVE: 1) Make your first cut on the underside of the branch about 6 to
12 inches away from the trunk.