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<pre>Those who have read the piece in our book about pruning young trees will
recall we are rather scornful about spreaders. Fine for the backyard grower
but not feasible for the commercial grower.

A few weeks ago Ettore are local gun pruner helped us put some
shape into our young trees. About one third were fine. One third acceptable
and one third were really hacked about because the three or four leaders
were too close together. Instead of the broad base wine glass the trees
were more like champagne flutes.

I have started to put spreaders on the next generation of young
trees that will be seriously pruned next year in the hope that we can get
the two thirds up to top standard. While it is an added cost it can be done
at times when there is no other urgent work. I will let you know next year
how things work out.

Cheers Brian Chatterton.
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