“小老树”是园艺学的一个专用名词,指的是那种病态的早熟果木。譬如一棵桃树,从幼芽到结出果实,至少需要三四年时间。若是有一株桃树,长到一二年时,虽然还很矮,但已经结出果实了。由于它的身高像幼株,很矮小,它结出的果实也一定是很瘪小的。尤其可悲的是,它的身高此后很难再增长,当然结出的果实也很难丰硕。对于这种病态的早熟果树,园艺工人是不吝惜的,往往及早把它淘汰掉,原因是: “Little Old Tree” is a special term for horticulture, referring to the kind of sick, precocious fruit. For example, a peach tree, from the bud to fruiting fruit, at least three or four years time. If there is a peach tree, when it grows to twelve years, although it is still short, it has taken fruit. Because of its height like young plants, very short, it is also the result of the fruit is very shriveled. Especially sadly, it is difficult to grow its height thereafter, of course, the fruit is difficult to bear fruitful. For this sickly premature fruit tree, horticultural workers do not hesitate to eliminate it early because: