The Hood River Glacier

EARLY CARE NEEDED TO SAVE TREES

Complaints of winter injury to peach, pear and cherry trees in some parts of the central Willamette Valley, have been sent to the Agricultural College department of Horticulture. A typical letter from one grower says that it now appears as though this damage is very serious throughout his 500-acre orchard of five year old trees. Specimens of trunk sections indicate that the trees are in very bad condition, and unless very carefully handled many of them may die.

The extent and distribution of the injury are not yet determined, but all orchardists, especially those in the regions where the unusual cold and deep snow prevailed, are advised by the department to make a careful investigation of their trees to learn the exact condition. The portions of the tree to be examined most critically are sections of the trunks just above the snow line. If severely injured the bark over these regions will probably be somewhat loosened from the wood, the cambium layer brown and lifeless, and possibly the bark or even the wood split open.

Where this injury completely girdles the tree, bridge-grafting is recommended by Professor Gardner, by which means the sap flow may be carried through two or more scions from the living root region to the living tops. If the injury is on one side only it may not be necessary to bridge-graft, but it is recommended that the loosened bark be either tied or tacked down to the wood, and exposed wood painted with Bordeaux mixture or other material that will prevent the inroads of destructive fungi. The work should be done early while the flow is active, and fairly severe pruning may be necessary.

Reporting the exact condition to the department, however, is strongly recommended by Professor Lewis, who says that either he or Professor Gardner will give the case individual attention. It is not possible to give the best treatment for each case without exact knowledge of conditions. A section of the injured portion of the trunk will help the specialists to determine the best treatment, full directions for which will be forwarded as soon as possible.