Training and Pruning Basics Objectives and Tools

HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production Strong Tree Framework Facilitate Management Harvest Sunlight Efficiently Maintain Productivity Balanced Renewal HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

What happens if you do not prune? Faster growth Earlier fruiting Less light penetration Poor spray coverage More difficult to manage HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Objectives of training A. Establish a strong tree framework B. Facilitate management of tree and crop C. Harvest sunlight efficiently D. Maintain productivity by renewing fruiting wood Balanced Renewal HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

A. Establish a Strong Tree Framework Structural Wood Upright vertical trunk Well distributed scaffolds Wide crotch angles HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Establish a Strong Tree Framework Well Distributed Scaffolds Vertical trunk HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Establish a Strong Tree Framework Wide branch angles are stronger Narrow angles are weak and increase shading inside canopy HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

A Strong Tree Framework: Major objective of the first three years Must last the lifetime of the tree Structural support for fruit crop Should not be crowded HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

B. Facilitate Management of the Tree and Crop Height of primary scaffolds Distribute scaffolds well Tree uniformity Tree size HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Facilitate Management: 1. Height of Primary Scaffolds Access to tree base Irrigation, herbicides, fertilizers Allow air movement to minimize disease pressure HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Facilitate Management: 2. Distribute Scaffolds Well Easy entry to tree Thinning, pruning, harvesting Good pesticide coverage HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Facilitate Management: 3. Tree Uniformity Easier to train employees Mechanization possible HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Facilitate Management: 4. Tree Size Small trees are easier to work No ladders needed Easy to reach all parts of tree Better spray penetration HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Facilitate Management of the Tree and Crop Optimize height of primary scaffolds Allow space at tree base Distribute scaffolds well Do not over crowd scaffolds Tree uniformity Limit tree size with summer and winter pruning HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

C. Harvest Sunlight Efficiently Maximize surface area of orchard covered by canopy Limit canopy depth HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: 1 Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: 1. Maximize surface area of orchard covered by canopy Most rapid in high density plantings HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: 2. Limit Canopy Depth 50% 30% Light Intensity Decreases Within the Tree Canopy HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: 2. Limit Canopy Depth Photosynthesis Decreases at Lower Light Levels HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: Poor Light Intensity Leads to Poor fruit color Poor fruit distribution Less fruit bud development Poor fruit size Poor fruit flavor HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: Poor Light Intensity Leads to Poor fruit color HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: Light Intensity Affects: Fruit Color and Size HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: Light Intensity Affects: Fruit Color and Size HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: Light Intensity and Fruit Size % Light Penetration Fruit size (grams) HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: Light Intensity and Fruit Distribution % Light Penetration % Fruit Distribution HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: Light Intensity and Fruit Flavor % Light Penetration % Soluble Solids HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Harvest Sunlight Efficiently Maximize Orchard Floor Covered with Canopy Limit canopy depth to 3 feet Expose all parts of the canopy with at least 50% sunlight HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

D. Maintain Productivity Sustain maximum bearing area for maximal time Balanced Renewal HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

D. Maintain Productivity Maintain light distribution in canopy Remove unproductive wood Maintain good vegetative:fruit balance HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Maintain Productivity: Maintain light distribution in canopy Only sun-exposed areas produce quality fruit Limit canopy depth to 3’ Control tree size Unless control tree size the fruit moves up every year Lower part of tree will be shaded HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Maintain Productivity: Remove Unproductive Wood Fruiting wood which hangs down Fruiting wood which is shaded Water sprouts and root suckers Diseased or damaged wood Weak or thin wood HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Maintain Productivity: Remove Unproductive Wood Remove weak or thin wood HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Maintain Productivity: Remove Unproductive Wood Remove weak or thin wood HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Maintain Productivity: Maintain good vegetative:fruit balance Thin out excessively vigorous vegetative growth during summer Allows light into center of tree HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Maintain Productivity: Maintain good vegetative:fruit balance Remove excessive fruiting wood In peaches - remove 40-60% of new fruiting wood each year HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Conclusions: How should you train your trees? Many approaches work Open center is most common for peaches Central leader is most common for pome fruit Find a program that works and stick to it HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Conclusions: How should you train your trees? Keep in mind the four objectives Establish a strong tree framework Facilitate management of tree and crop Harvest sunlight efficiently Maintain productivity by balanced renewal HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

What Tools Are Used in Tree Training?

Tools used in Tree Training Manipulation of apical dominance Controlled by the plant hormone auxin Produced by actively growing shoots Moves down the branch with gravity HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production Effects of auxin Inhibits lateral bud break Inhibits lateral shoot growth Affects branch angle HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Pruning Remove the Source of Auxin Heading Cut Remove part of the branch Stimulate bud break near cut Stimulate localized branching HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production Hedging = Heading Cuts Initially it opens up the canopy Since heading cuts Stimulate lateral bud break Vigorous vegetative growth creates a dense canopy HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Pruning Remove the Source of Auxin Thinning cut Remove branch at point of origin Least invigorating cut Promote light penetration into canopy Maintenance pruning HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Bend Branch Towards Horizontal Decreases amount of auxin moving from tip Bend to a 45 to 60 degree angle Increase lateral branching Decrease terminal growth HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Bend Branch Towards Horizontal Decreases amount of auxin moving from tip Bend below the horizontal Increase lateral branching Buds at highest point break Decrease terminal growth HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production Timing of pruning Dormant pruning Most common approach Summer pruning Works well in combination with dormant pruning Open up the tree to allow light into center HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

Pruning Response Varies with Tree Different varieties/crops grow differently Spur types in apples Vigor level of the tree Age of the tree Rootstock Fertility/irrigation/soil constraints Small fruited vs. large fruited crops HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production

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