Pruning and Training Fruit Trees Pruning: Definition: removal parts of the tree from shoot or root system. Pruning determine tree size and function (how and when the tree will fruit) Conducted for the entire life of the tree. Training: Definition: control the framework of the tree by control amount and direction of growth. This process includes pruning and other processes like tying branches to posts and/or trellises or spreading. Training determines tree development and framework. Conducted in the first years of the tree's life. Reasons of pruning A. Training the tree. B. Appearance of the tree and orchard. Well pruned tree will seem balanced in shape Branches should be well spaced. Overlapping branches should be removed. Limbs should not occur in positions where they will interfere with the flow of machinery. Limbs should not be so high that make picking difficult. Diseased and damaged wood should be removed. C. Control of the fruiting process. Crop control: through thinning process which help to reduce alternate bearing. Continuity of cropping: enhance or keep the fruit buds in the year or for the next year. Keep the root and shoot system in balance. D. Improve Fruit quality. Fruit size: Through two processes fruit thinning and maximize sunlight penetration. Fruit color Internal qualities: Firmness, sweetness, flavor and aroma. E. Reduce disease and pests. Removing infected branches and making spraying penetration easy.
F. Improve flower bud initiation. Shading of leaves and buds is one of the major causes of poor flower bud initiation. G. Reduce labor costs during harvesting. Pruning time Winter pruning: Done during dormant season when the bark is not easy to split and the sap is very low. Done during early or late winter depend on frost time. Invigorate the tree by reduce the number of buds available to develop into shoots (reduce the competence). Summer pruning: Done during growth season when the bark is easy to split and the sap is high. Done during early or late summer depend on growth flushes and fruit growth stage. Devigorate the tree by reducing the total leaf area which reduces total carbon assimilation. It is not advisable on weak growing trees or those carrying a heavy crop. Increase air and light penetration. The severity of pruning depend on 1. Age of the tree: older tree need more sever pruning. 2. Growth habit of the tree: vigorous tree needs severe pruning more than weak one. 3. Training method 4. Bearing habit The Systems A. The Vase Tree or Open Center B. Central Leader Types: Central leader, Vertical axis or the axe or the French axe, Spindle bush, and Hytec C. The Palmette D. Trellis Systems: Vertical, Tatura, MIA, and Yanco cantilever E. Canopy Trellis Systems: Licoln, Solen, Ebro-esplier, and Japanese canopy G. Obligue - Bonche - Thomas H. The Spanish Bush (for cherries)
Pruning and Training Fruit Trees Figure 7. Heading removes a part of a shoot or limb. Figure 7. Thinning removes the entire shoot or limb.
Important Terms Bearing tree A fruit tree that has reached the stage of development to produce fruit annually A. Trunk The main stem or body of the tree B. Primary scaffold branch A shoot that has developed to maturity, grew from a bud on the trunk and making up the basic framework of a tree C. Secondary scaffold branch A shoot that has developed to maturity and grew from a bud on the primary scaffold branch D. Leader A branch selected as a continuation of the trunk and from which scaffold branches develop E. Shoot New growth developing during a current season F. Fruit spurs Short, thick growth upon which flowers and fruit develop G. Bud An undeveloped shoot or stem H. Watersprout Vigorous shoots usually arising from latent buds in the trunk or older limbs in the lower parts of the tree, growing upright through the center of the tree. I. Sucker Shoots arising from the underground parts of the plant, usually coming from adventitious buds on roots. In grafted tree, they generally arise from the rootstock below the graft union. They should be removed as soon as they are noticed. J. Heading back Remove part of the shoot (one year old) or branch. K. Crotch angle The angle between two branches near their point of origin Weak Crotch A narrow angle between two branches grow equally. Thinning out Remove the shoots or branchs from their bases. Heading to lateral branch Remove part of old shoot to new lateral branch. Stub The remaining part of the shoot after thinning out.
Hand Pruning Equipment Shears and Saws
Figure. Cutting large branch Figure. Cutting small branch Figure. Crown reduction cut Figure. Bark ripping Figure. Flush cutting Figure. Stub cutting
Suggested Questions 1. Older tree need -------------------- sever pruning.than/as young tree a. More c. The same b. Less d. 2. Pruning improve flower bud initiation by a. Reduce shading of buds c. Removing damaged branches b. Removing infected branches d. b+c 3. When pruning trees, heading back cuts a. Involve removing a shoot by heading it c. Will encourage extensive branching back to its branch point. below the cut. b. Are used to remove suckers and water d. All of the above are true. sprouts Pruning improves fruit quality through. a. Maximize sunlight penetration c. Fruit thinning b. Remove infected parts d. All of the above Summer pruning is advisable on ---------------------------------. a. Trees carrying a heavy crop c. Good growing trees b. Trees carrying a little crop d. b+c The following appearances of trees refere to good pruning and training except a. Trees seem balanced in shape c. Branches are well spaced b. Overlapping branches are removed d. Trees are high that increase the production The severity of pruning depends on a. Age of the tree c. Training method b. Growth and bearing habit of the tree d. All of the above Vigorous tree needs...severe pruning than weak one a. More c. The same b. Less d. No relation All of the following terms refer to pruning mistakes except a. Bark ripping c. Lopping b. Flush cutting d. Stub cutting Shoot arising from the underground parts of the plant, usually coming from adventitious buds on roots. a. Trunk c. Watersprout b. Primary scaffold branch d. Sucker All of the following terms refer to pruning instruments except a. Scissor action pruner c. Folding saw b. Pruning saw with crescent grip d. Folding shear 1... determine tree size and function while. determines tree development and framework 2.... angle is the angle between two branches near their point of origin 3....... means remove the shoots or branches from their bases. 4.... is the remaining part of the shoot after thinning out 5... Remove part of the shoot (one year old) or branch.
True or False 1. Summer pruning devigorate the tree. 2. The pruning is very severe in low density planting system 3. Pruning increase labor costs during harvesting 4. When heading a branch back to a bud, we have to leave at least 5 cm of stem above the bud. Pruning Control of the fruiting process in fruit trees, How? Name the Fruit Tree Parts from A to J