Post on 15-Dec-2015
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Training and Training and Pruning BasicsPruning Basics
Objectives and Tools
Strong Tree Framework
Balanced Renewal
Facilitate Management
Harvest Sunlight Efficiently
Maintain Productivity
What happens if you do not What happens if you do not prune?prune?
Faster growthEarlier fruiting
Less light penetration
Poor spray coverage
More difficult to manage
Objectives of trainingObjectives of trainingA. Establish a strong tree frameworkB. Facilitate management of tree and
cropC. Harvest sunlight efficientlyD. Maintain productivity◦ by renewing fruiting wood
Balanced Renewal
A. Establish a Strong Tree A. Establish a Strong Tree FrameworkFramework
Upright vertical trunk
Well distributed scaffolds
Wide crotch angles
Structural Wood
Establish a Strong Tree FrameworkEstablish a Strong Tree Framework
Vertical trunk
Well Distributed Scaffolds
Establish a Strong Tree FrameworkEstablish a Strong Tree Framework
Wide branch angles are stronger
Narrow angles are weak and increase shading inside canopy
A Strong Tree Framework: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
B. Facilitate Management of B. Facilitate Management of the Tree and Cropthe Tree and Crop
Height of primary scaffolds
Distribute scaffolds wellTree uniformityTree size
Facilitate Management:Facilitate Management:1. Height of Primary Scaffolds1. Height of Primary Scaffolds
Access to tree base ◦ Irrigation, herbicides,
fertilizers
Allow air movement to minimize disease pressure
Facilitate Management:Facilitate Management: 2. Distribute Scaffolds Well2. Distribute Scaffolds Well
Easy entry to tree
Thinning, pruning, harvesting
Good pesticide coverage
Facilitate Management:Facilitate Management: 3. Tree Uniformity3. Tree Uniformity
Easier to train employees
Mechanization possible
Facilitate Management:Facilitate Management: 4. Tree Size4. Tree Size
Small trees are easier to work
No ladders neededEasy to reach all parts of treeBetter spray penetration
Facilitate Management of the Facilitate Management of the Tree and CropTree and Crop
Optimize height of primary scaffolds◦Allow space at tree base
Distribute scaffolds well◦Do not over crowd scaffolds
Tree uniformityLimit tree size with summer and winter pruning
C. Harvest Sunlight EfficientlyC. Harvest Sunlight Efficiently
Maximize surface area of orchard covered by canopy
Limit canopy depth
Harvest Sunlight Efficiently:Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: 1. Maximize surface area of 1. Maximize surface area of orchard covered by canopyorchard covered by canopy
Most rapid in high density plantings
Harvest Sunlight Efficiently:Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: 2. Limit Canopy Depth2. Limit Canopy Depth
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% L
ight
Pen
etra
tion
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Canopy Depth (feet)
50%
30%
Light Intensity Decreases Within the Tree Canopy
Harvest Sunlight Efficiently:Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: 2. Limit Canopy Depth2. Limit Canopy Depth
Photosynthesis Decreases at Lower Light Levels
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% M
axim
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tosy
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% Full Sunlight
Harvest Sunlight Harvest Harvest Sunlight Harvest Efficiently:Efficiently:
Poor fruit color Poor fruit distribution
◦Less fruit bud developmentPoor fruit sizePoor fruit flavor
Poor Light Intensity Leads toPoor Light Intensity Leads to
Harvest Sunlight Efficiently:Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: Poor Light Intensity Leads to poor ColorPoor Light Intensity Leads to poor Color
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100
% R
ed C
olor
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
% Full Sunlight
Harvest Sunlight Efficiently:Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: Light Intensity Affects Fruit Color and Size
Harvest Sunlight Efficiently:Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: Light Intensity Affects Light Intensity Affects Fruit Color and SizeFruit Color and Size
Harvest Sunlight Efficiently:Harvest Sunlight Efficiently:
Light Intensity and Fruit SizeLight Intensity and Fruit Size
% Light Penetration Fruit size (grams)
Harvest Sunlight Efficiently:Harvest Sunlight Efficiently: Light Intensity and Fruit DistributionLight Intensity and Fruit Distribution
% Light Penetration % Fruit Distribution
Harvest Sunlight Efficiently:Harvest Sunlight Efficiently:
Light Intensity and Fruit FlavorLight Intensity and Fruit Flavor
% Light Penetration % Soluble Solids
Harvest Sunlight EfficientlyHarvest Sunlight Efficiently
Maximize Orchard Floor Covered with Canopy
Limit canopy depth to 1.0 m.Expose all parts of the canopy with at least 50% sunlight
D. Maintain ProductivityD. Maintain ProductivitySustain maximum bearing area for maximal Sustain maximum bearing area for maximal
timetime
Balanced Renewal
D. Maintain ProductivityD. Maintain Productivity
Maintain light distribution in canopy
Remove unproductive woodMaintain good vegetative/fruit
balance
Maintain Productivity:Maintain Productivity: Maintain light distribution in canopyMaintain light distribution in canopy
Only sun-exposed areas produce quality fruit
Limit canopy depth to 1.0 m.
Control tree size◦Unless control tree size
the fruit moves up every year
◦Lower part of tree will be shaded
Maintain Productivity:Maintain Productivity: Remove Unproductive WoodRemove Unproductive Wood
Fruiting wood which hangs down
Fruiting wood which is shadedWater sprouts and root suckersDiseased or damaged woodWeak or thin wood
Maintain Maintain Productivity:Productivity:
Remove Remove Unproductive Unproductive
WoodWood
◦Remove weak or thin wood
Maintain Maintain Productivity:Productivity:
Remove Remove Unproductive Unproductive
WoodWood
◦Remove weak or thin wood
Maintain Productivity:Maintain Productivity: Maintain good Maintain good
vegetative:fruit balancevegetative:fruit balance
◦Thin out excessively vigorous vegetative growth during summer◦Allows light into center of tree
Maintain Productivity:Maintain Productivity: Maintain good vegetative/fruit balanceMaintain good vegetative/fruit balance
Remove excessive fruiting woodIn peaches - remove 40-60% of new fruiting wood each year
Conclusions:Conclusions:How should you train your trees?How should you train your trees?Many approaches workOpen center is most common for peachesCentral leader is most common for pome
fruitFind a program that works and stick to it
Conclusions:Conclusions:How should you train your trees?How should you train your trees?Keep in mind the four objectives
Establish a strong tree frameworkFacilitate management of tree and
cropHarvest sunlight efficientlyMaintain productivity by balanced
renewal
Tools used in Tree TrainingTools used in Tree Training
Manipulation of apical Manipulation of apical dominancedominance
Controlled by the plant hormone auxin
Produced by actively growing shootsMoves down the branch with gravity
Effects of auxinEffects of auxin
Inhibits lateral bud break
Inhibits lateral shoot growth
Affects branch angle
PruningPruningRemove the Source of AuxinRemove the Source of Auxin
Heading CutHeading CutRemove part of the branch
Stimulate bud break near cut
Stimulate localized branching
PruningPruningRemove the Source of AuxinRemove the Source of Auxin
Thinning cutThinning cut
Remove branch at point of origin
Least invigorating cut
Promote light penetration into canopy
Maintenance pruning
Bend Branch Towards HorizontalBend Branch Towards Horizontal
Decreases amount of auxin moving from tip
Increase lateral branchingDecrease terminal growth
Bend to a 45 to 60 degree angle
Bend Branch Towards Bend Branch Towards HorizontalHorizontal
Decreases amount of auxin moving from tip
Increase lateral branchingBuds at highest point breakDecrease terminal growth
Bend below the horizontal
Timing of pruningTiming 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
Pruning Response Varies with Pruning Response Varies with TreeTree
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