Pruning techniques of fruit trees in winter

The pruning of fruit trees during the period from the defoliation to the germination of the following year is called winter pruning. Winter pruning of most tree species is usually carried out between January and February. The main purpose of winter pruning is to prune and cut some unnecessary branches, such as disease and insect branches, withered branches, dense branches and unusable overgrown branches, to form a certain shape of the crown, so that the growth of backbone branches at all levels of the crown is balanced, and the tissue is cultivated. Promote the formation of fruiting branches to adjust the relationship between growth and fruit.

Truncation

Short cutting is also called pruning, which is to cut off part of the longer branches. its main function is to stimulate the germination of lateral buds, make them produce new shoots and increase the number of branches, so as to ensure healthy tree strength and normal fruit. Different degrees of cut have different effects on the growth and fruit of fruit trees. The light truncation is to cut off the full length of the branch, the middle truncation is to cut off the full length of the branch, the middle truncation is to cut off the full length of the branch, the light truncation is to cut off the full length of the branch, the light truncation is to cut off the full length of the branch, the middle truncation is to cut off the full length of the branch, the heavy truncation is to cut off the full length of the branch, the light truncation is to cut off the full length of the branch, the medium truncation is to cut off the full length of the branch, the middle truncation is to cut off the full length of the branch, the heavy truncation is to cut off the full length of the branch, the heavy truncation is to cut off the full length of the branch, the light truncation is to cut

It depends on the species, variety, age, branch type and purpose of the tree species that the truncation should be light or medium and heavy or extremely heavy under which circumstances. Usually, the heavier the truncation, the stronger the stimulation of the germination and growth potential of the contralateral buds, but it is not conducive to the formation of fruiting branches. Sometimes the degree of short cut is too heavy, and the opposite result will appear, weakening the growth potential. The lighter the truncation, the more lateral buds germinate, but the growth potential is weak, and the middle and lower parts of branches are easy to sprout short branches and form flower buds more easily. The lighter the short section of the whole tree, the more flowers bloom every year, and the tree is prone to early senescence.

For young fruit trees, it is necessary to cultivate good and firm crowns and bear fruit early, so they are often light and short. In general, the truncated branches of young trees can stimulate the germination of lateral buds below the cutting mouth, promote their branching, which is conducive to vegetative growth and accelerate the expansion of the crown. After the beginning of fruiting, until the fruit trees enter the full fruiting period, the main purpose is to enable them to bear more fruit and grow good trees, so when there are a large number of fruiting branches, appropriate measures should be taken to increase the truncation and thinning branches. As for the fruit trees entering the aging period, due to the gradual decline and decline in yield year by year, we should focus on restoring the tree potential, and we should strengthen the cutting when pruning in order to promote the sprouting of new shoots, rejuvenate the tree potential and continue to form fruit branches. Especially drupe fruit trees, because flower buds are born on new shoots of the same year, and there are flower buds on almost every node of a new shoot, it can be promoted to produce more new shoots and increase fruit after being cut short.

Thinning branch

Thinning branches is also called thinning or pruning. It is to cut off the dry and withered branches on the crown, unsuitable long branches, competitive branches, disease and insect branches, weak drooping branches, overdense cross branches, overlapping branches and so on. The degree of branch thinning can be divided into three types. Branches thinning no more than 10% of the whole tree is called light thinning, thinning 10% is called medium thinning, and thinning more than 20% is called heavy thinning.

The degree of thinning should also be based on trees and local conditions. Young fruit trees should be light and sparse in order to form flower buds and bear fruit early. After entering the fruiting period, on the basis of not affecting the yield, on the one hand, it is necessary to enrich the fruiting branches, on the other hand, to stimulate the growth of branches, so as to create good conditions for the next year's fruit. For ordinary big trees, because there are more branches, more branches can be thinned. Entering the aging period, there are more short fruit branches or bouquet-like fruit branches on the tree, and their growth is weaker, so it is necessary to fine thinning between short fruit branches or flower-like fruit branches in order to promote their vegetative growth.

Retract

Retraction is also called shearing, to the full fruit stage, the growth potential of new shoots gradually weakens, most of the branches are short branches, at the same time, some branches begin to droop, and baldness appears in the middle and lower part of the crown. In order to improve the light, rejuvenate the tree and prolong the fruiting years, it is necessary to retract and prune the short branches to renew and rejuvenate the trees and keep the trees prosperous and fruitful. Retraction usually leaves a strong lateral branch in the place of the perennial branch, and the apical branch is cut off. This can shorten the length of the big branch, reduce the number of twigs on the big branch, and concentrate the supply of nutrients and water on the branches left behind, which is very beneficial to the rejuvenation of the tree.

While shearing, the supply of fertilizer and water should be strengthened to promote the normal growth of branches and facilitate the formation of fruiting branches. In addition, for some over-aging main branches, you can retract, or even leave only a small section at the base, so that the branches under the saw can flourish, or stimulate latent buds to sprout and grow to form a new crown. This method of retrenchment is also called crown renewal pruning.

Engraving

Before sprouting in spring, use a knife to cut across the cortex of the branch, deep into the xylem, which is called a cut. Scratching in the upper part of the bud can hinder the upward transport of nutrients, and make the lower part of the bud get sufficient nutrients, at the same time, because the bud is stimulated by the wound, it is conducive to bud germination and branching. If it is scratched in the lower part of the bud in summer, it will hinder the downward transport of carbohydrates and accumulate in the upper part of the branch, thus inhibiting the tree potential and promoting the formation of flower buds and the ripening of branches. Therefore, if you want to replenish a branch in a certain part of the crown, you can cut it on the bud, and if you want to ease the growth of a branch, or make it form a fruit branch, you can cut it under the bud.