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Training and Pruning Basics
Objectives and Tools
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HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
Strong Tree Framework Facilitate Management Harvest Sunlight Efficiently Maintain Productivity Balanced Renewal HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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What happens if you do not prune?
Faster growth Earlier fruiting Less light penetration Poor spray coverage More difficult to manage HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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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 Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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A. Establish a Strong Tree Framework
Structural Wood Upright vertical trunk Well distributed scaffolds Wide crotch angles HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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Establish a Strong Tree Framework
Well Distributed Scaffolds Vertical trunk HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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Establish a Strong Tree Framework
Wide branch angles are stronger Narrow angles are weak and increase shading inside canopy HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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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 Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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B. Facilitate Management of the Tree and Crop
Height of primary scaffolds Distribute scaffolds well Tree uniformity Tree size HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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Facilitate Management: 1. Height of Primary Scaffolds
Access to tree base Irrigation, herbicides, fertilizers Allow air movement to minimize disease pressure HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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Facilitate Management: 2. Distribute Scaffolds Well
Easy entry to tree Thinning, pruning, harvesting Good pesticide coverage HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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Facilitate Management: 3. Tree Uniformity
Easier to train employees Mechanization possible HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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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 Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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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 Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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C. Harvest Sunlight Efficiently
Maximize surface area of orchard covered by canopy Limit canopy depth HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: 1
Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: 1. Maximize surface area of orchard covered by canopy Most rapid in high density plantings HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: 2. Limit Canopy Depth
50% 30% Light Intensity Decreases Within the Tree Canopy HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: 2. Limit Canopy Depth
Photosynthesis Decreases at Lower Light Levels HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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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 Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: Poor Light Intensity Leads to
Poor fruit color HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: Light Intensity Affects: Fruit Color and Size HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: Light Intensity Affects: Fruit Color and Size HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: Light Intensity and Fruit Size
% Light Penetration Fruit size (grams) HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: Light Intensity and Fruit Distribution
% Light Penetration % Fruit Distribution HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: Light Intensity and Fruit Flavor
% Light Penetration % Soluble Solids HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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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 Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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D. Maintain Productivity Sustain maximum bearing area for maximal time
Balanced Renewal HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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D. Maintain Productivity
Maintain light distribution in canopy Remove unproductive wood Maintain good vegetative:fruit balance HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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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 Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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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 Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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Maintain Productivity: Remove Unproductive Wood
Remove weak or thin wood HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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Maintain Productivity: Remove Unproductive Wood
Remove weak or thin wood HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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Maintain Productivity: Maintain good vegetative:fruit balance
Thin out excessively vigorous vegetative growth during summer Allows light into center of tree HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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Maintain Productivity: Maintain good vegetative:fruit balance
Remove excessive fruiting wood In peaches - remove 40-60% of new fruiting wood each year HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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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 Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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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 Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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What Tools Are Used in Tree Training?
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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 Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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HORT 319 - Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
Effects of auxin Inhibits lateral bud break Inhibits lateral shoot growth Affects branch angle HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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Pruning Remove the Source of Auxin
Heading Cut Remove part of the branch Stimulate bud break near cut Stimulate localized branching HORT Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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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 Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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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 Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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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 Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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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 Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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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 Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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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 Temperate Fruit and Nut Production
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