Any good orchardist will tell you that one of the chores esssential to producing a

[Atticus]

healthy tree that will produce a lot of quality fruit is PRUNING. Without it, branches and shoots proliferate and not only divert energy from fruit production, but so impede airflow and sunshine that diseases and pests are encouraged. And, pruning is best done before the actual growing season is in full swing.

Just sayin'.

[handmade34]

1. excellent analogy

[betsuni]

2. Bonsai

Just sayin'.

[WhiteTara]

3. thanks for the reminder. Was this

about trees or about pruning dead weight in the WH?

[Atticus]

5. Actually, I thought it might have some relevance for those who believe having to schedule

successive-night debates for 20 or so Democratic presidential primary contenders is a good thing.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

4. What should be done with a tree that has a disease and that threatens the orchard?

[Atticus]

6. Ideally, it should be pulled out by the roots, transported out of the orchard and burned.

Additionally, the area should be raked and all leaves, twigs, old apples or other remnants of the diseased tree should also be removed from the area and burned.

Anything that could adversely effect the success of the rest of the orchard has to be dealt with.

[WeekiWater]

7. That's cold. NT

[CrossingTheRubicon]

8. Thanks. That sound right to me.