Winter pruning technique of Cornus officinalis

Cornus officinalis, also known as jujube skin, medicine skin, cornus meat, is a precious woody traditional Chinese medicine in China, which has a wide range of medical applications. Foping County, Shaanxi Province has a long history of planting and has formed large-scale production. In 2001 and 2002, the county was named "the hometown of Cornus officinalis in China" and "National Cornus officinalis drug source base county" by the State Forestry Administration and the State Ministry of Science and Technology. And Cornus officinalis has become an important part of ecological construction in Foping County and the pillar industry of the local rural economy. The author has been engaged in the production of Cornus officinalis for more than 30 years in Foping County, accumulated and summarized a set of mature planting experience, and now introduces the deep winter pruning technology to the majority of drug farmers for reference.

In winter, Cornus officinalis enters the dormant period, and pruning in deep winter can prevent the loss of sap, ensure its safe overwintering and healthy growth in the following year, and more importantly, change the tree shape, adjust nutrition, and make it change from plane to three-dimensional fruit. in order to achieve the purpose of increasing per unit yield and increasing total yield.

Pruning method of Cornus officinalis

1. Thinning is also called branch thinning, and its function is to promote the germination and growth of the branches in the lower part of the shearing mouth, ease the tree potential, and cut the first branch from the base where the branch is too dense, which can improve the light conditions, prolong the life of fruiting branches, promote the formation of flower buds and increase the rate of fruit setting. Thinning to promote the growth of branches to balance the tree potential; thinning of weak branches can promote the growth of other branches.

2. Cut off a part of the treetop, also known as a short cut. Its function is to promote the bud germination of the lower part of the cut mouth, rejuvenate the old branch, and promote flowering and fruiting.

3. Retraction is cut short on perennial branches, which is used to control auxiliary branches, cultivate fruiting branches, and promote the renewal and rejuvenation of backbone branches.

4. Slow release is also called long release. That is, keep the branches untrimmed. Generally, you can only slowly release weak branches, lower branches, and so on. Its first function is to ease the growth potential: for strong trees and branches, it can ease the growth potential; for weak trees and weak branches, it can restore growth and strengthen the tree potential as soon as possible under the condition of strengthening water and fertilizer. Second, it is conducive to flowering and fruiting: Cornus officinalis has the characteristics of axillary bud flowering and fruiting, slow release of vegetative branches, can promote more flowering and fruiting.

Pruning and cultivation of high-yield trees

1. Evacuation stratification: also known as the main branch sparse layer. The trunk has a high 60~80cm, the main branch is on the central leading branch, and the evacuation stratification is formed. Three main branches were selected in the first layer, close to the arrangement, the distance between 30~40cm and the opening angle was 50 °~ 60 °, two main branches were selected in the second layer, arranged in the space of the main branches in the first layer, and one main branch was left in the third, fourth and fifth layers. Interlayer distance: 80~100cm between the first and second layers, 60~70cm between the second and third layers, staggered arrangement. It is characterized by satisfactory crown, firm skeleton structure, reasonable distribution of backbone branches, angle opening, ventilation and transparent light; as a result, the branch group is planted on the main branch and lateral branches, resulting in a large area, which overcomes the shortcomings of too many branches and closed crown under the condition of natural growth. This tree shape is suitable for sporadic planting in front and back of the house, as well as the shaping and pruning of dogwood trees with deep soil and exuberant growth.

2. Natural happy shape: also known as the happy shape of the stem branch without central leadership. The main branches are 2-3, high 40~60cm, oblique outward, 45 °, azimuth 120 °. There are more than 4 secondary main branches on each main branch: the first secondary main branch is left on the outside of the main branch, the second, third and fourth secondary main branches are arranged on the outside of the main branch, and the distance between the branches is about 35cm. The developmental branches were selected as inverted branches, and the fruiting branches were cultured. This kind of tree has the advantages of short shape, open crown, good ventilation and light transmission and convenient management. it is suitable for pruning and shaping of dogwood trees on slopes with shallow soil and barren soil.