Training and Pruning Basics

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Training and Pruning Basics
. Hortilover .

• Objectives and Tools

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Strong Tree Framework
Facilitate Management
Harvest Sunlight Efficiently
Maintain Productivity
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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

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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

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A. Establish a Strong Tree Framework
Structural Wood

• Upright vertical trunk
• Well distributed scaffolds
• Wide crotch angles

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Establish a Strong Tree Framework
Well Distributed Scaffolds
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Establish a Strong Tree Framework

• Wide branch angles are stronger
• Narrow angles are weak and increase shading
  inside canopy

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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

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B. Facilitate Management of the Tree and Crop

• Height of primary scaffolds
• Distribute scaffolds well
• Tree uniformity
• Tree size

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Facilitate Management1. Height of Primary
Scaffolds

• Access to tree base
• Irrigation, herbicides, fertilizers
• Allow air movement to minimize disease pressure

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Facilitate Management 2. Distribute Scaffolds
Well

• Easy entry to tree
• Thinning, pruning, harvesting
• Good pesticide coverage

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Facilitate Management 3. Tree Uniformity

• Easier to train employees
• Mechanization possible

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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

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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

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C. Harvest Sunlight Efficiently

• Maximize surface area of orchard covered by
  canopy
• Limit canopy depth

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Harvest Sunlight Efficiently 1. Maximize
surface area of orchard covered by canopy

• Most rapid in high density plantings

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Harvest Sunlight Efficiently 2. Limit Canopy
Depth
Light Intensity Decreases Within the Tree Canopy
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Harvest Sunlight Efficiently 2. Limit Canopy
Depth
Photosynthesis Decreases at Lower Light Levels
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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

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Harvest Sunlight Efficiently Poor Light
Intensity Leads to

• Poor fruit color

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Harvest Sunlight Efficiently Light Intensity
AffectsFruit Color, Distribution, and Size
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Harvest Sunlight Efficiently Light Intensity
AffectsFruit Color, Distribution, and Size
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Harvest Sunlight Efficiently Light Intensity
and Fruit Size
Light Penetration
Fruit size (grams)
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Harvest Sunlight Efficiently Light Intensity
and Fruit Distribution
Light Penetration
Fruit Distribution
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Harvest Sunlight Efficiently Light Intensity
and Fruit Flavor
Light Penetration
Soluble Solids
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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

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D. Maintain ProductivitySustain maximum bearing
area for maximal time
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D. Maintain Productivity

• Maintain light distribution in canopy
• Remove unproductive wood
• Maintain good vegetativefruit balance

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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

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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

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Maintain Productivity Remove Unproductive Wood

• Remove weak or thin wood

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Maintain Productivity Remove Unproductive Wood

• Remove weak or thin wood

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Maintain Productivity Maintain good
vegetativefruit balance

• Thin out excessively vigorous vegetative growth
  during summer
• Allows light into center of tree

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Maintain Productivity Maintain good
vegetativefruit balance

• Remove excessive fruiting wood
• In peaches - remove 40-60 of new fruiting wood
  each year

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ConclusionsHow 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

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ConclusionsHow 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

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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

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Effects of auxin

• Inhibits lateral bud break
• Inhibits lateral shoot growth
• Affects branch angle

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PruningRemove the Source of Auxin

• Heading Cut
• Remove part of the branch
• Stimulate bud break near cut
• Stimulate localized branching

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Hedging Heading Cuts

• Initially it opens up the canopy
• Since heading cuts
• Stimulate lateral bud break
• Vigorous vegetative growth creates a dense canopy

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PruningRemove the Source of Auxin

• Thinning cut
• Remove branch at point of origin
• Least invigorating cut
• Promote light penetration into canopy
• Maintenance pruning

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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
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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
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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

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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

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Any Questions?
Any Questions?
Any Questions?
Any Questions?
Any Questions?