Inside the book

Rizzi examines historical notions of pruning drawn from classical sources and regional practice, weighing them against empirical evidence. He discusses overpruning as a harmful habit, criticizing excessive cutting that weakens the vine and compromises longevity. At the same time, he argues firmly in favor of pruning when executed with restraint and timing, presenting it as a beneficial intervention rather than a violent necessity. Central to the treatise is a comparative analysis of pruning in different seasons, winter, autumn, and spring. Rizzi evaluates their physiological effects on the vine, paying particular attention to sap flow, wound response, and recovery. He advances the idea that pruning, when performed at the correct moment, allows the vine to heal more effectively, reducing stress and promoting balanced growth and fruiting. Throughout, traditional opinions are reported, tested, and either confirmed or corrected through observation.