The fruiting of trees directly depends on the correct observance of the process of pruning. In addition, this allows you to get a properly growing tree. This procedure depends on how the crown will form in the future and the plant will develop, as well as how much crop it will bring.
Why do this?
Fruit trees such as apple trees, pears and stone fruits are particularly pruned, but they are very demanding in this process. Thanks to pruning, you can significantly reduce the overall dimensions of the crown, accelerate growth and increase the fruiting of trees. So preventive measures are carried out, adverse conditions for pests and diseases are created.
The pruning procedure prolongs their life and helps to get a rich harvest.
If too little light enters the crown, then the branches that are inside the crown will not bear fruit and will eventually die out. Fruits will be formed only on those branches that will receive light. If trees are rarely or rarely cut, the fruits will grow only on hard-to-reach branches that are very high.
The procedure is necessary for the correct formation of the crown, which allows the lateral branches to grow and thereby receive a lot of yield on accessible branches.
Age and variety of trees suitable for the procedure
In the spring, pome fruit trees, that is, pears and apple trees, are pruned. This is only permissible because the trees are highly resistant to frost.
Trimming cherry plum, cherry, cherry, apricot, plum is allowed only during the appearance of leaves on the trees. If the procedure is carried out during the period when the tree is in a calm state, then pruning can cause damage to the plant by diseases and fungi.
In the summer, you can get rid of dried branches, shorten new shoots and remove branches that interfere with the crown. It is not necessary to prune branches of shrub plants in which flowers are formed on last year's shoots - this applies to lilacs and climbing roses.
The procedure should begin when the shoots of the trees have reached 1 year - this is necessary for the formation of the crown. If a tree is over 10-15 years old, it is considered old. Such a plant will no longer please the gardener with growth and productivity. Anti-aging pruning is required. To do this, cut branches to 3-7-year-old wood, thereby reducing the crown. But by the next year, many young shoots will appear on it. It is important to carefully ensure that the number of slices on one side is no more than three.
Seasons: does it matter?
Pruning fruit trees at certain times of the year depends on several factors:
- from the type of trees;
- for what purpose is the procedure performed;
- in what climatic conditions does the tree grow.
In the central and northern regions of Russia, autumn pruning is not recommended, as severe frosts can cause the trees to simply not have time to heal. The problem is slowing down the sap flow in the tree as it goes into a dormant state. Pruning can adversely affect the health of the tree: it can become sick and die.
In these regions, pruning is recommended in early spring, but not in the fall. The process can only be carried out at an air temperature of 0 degrees. It is important to prune old trees, because buds swell on them much faster than on young plants, and pruning should be done before this period.
In the southern regions, pruning is done in winter, because in the south the frosts are not as severe as in the north. This process in winter is needed to rejuvenate old plants, to form a regular crown in young seedlings. So the fruiting of young plants is reduced - they need rest. It is undesirable to let the tree bear fruit for several years in a row.
A large number of crops can break the branches of a young plant. It is recommended to cut off excess knots in the winter. Gardeners first begin pruning seed seeds, and then stone fruit.
But some gardeners are convinced that the best time for pruning trees is the summer period, but in this case we are talking about trees three years of age and older. They are convinced that in hot weather, pruning can be the reason for the rapid growth of new shoots. If pruning is done during fruit loading, then their quality will improve significantly. The advantage of this procedure in the summer is that juice is secreted from the tree, which covers the wound, contributing to the speedy healing and reliable protection against pests.
Many gardeners, on the contrary, are convinced that it is necessary to prune trees during the rest period of fruit trees, and therefore prefer to carry out the procedure in early spring.
The subtleties of the process
Cutting trees must be done very carefully, and be sure to follow the basic rules, which will not cause harm to plants. First of all, you need to determine the appropriate pruning season. It depends on the type and age of fruit trees, as well as on the location of the garden and climatic features.
An important role as a result of trimming is played by the tools that are needed for the procedure. In order not to damage the plant, cut branches only with sharp stainless steel tools. The set includes such items:
- garden hacksaw;
- glasses;
- secateurs;
- a ladder;
- air pruner
- garden var or paint on drying oil.
You can not use rusty tools, as this can cause a tree disease and its death. Before the procedure are determined with the objectives of its implementation:
- preparation for winter;
- the formation of the correct crown of the tree;
- increase in the number of fruiting branches;
- strengthening thin young shoots;
- removal of diseased branches;
- removal of crossed branches;
- rarefaction of the crown for the entry of sunlight.
As quickly as possible to cope with the fact that the fruit tree grows quickly, reducing the main number of fruiting buds will help. After determining the goal, it is equally important to study the technique. Technique of execution:
- Side cut. This technique helps to change the direction of growth from one shoot to another. It is necessary to cut off non-fruiting branches, thereby transferring the function of supremacy to the side branches.
- A cut on the kidney. This technique allows you to contribute to the right direction of branch growth. It is necessary to find a branch with good growth. It is necessary to turn the cutting plate of the pruner to the left part of the branch. Cut at a slight angle of 5 mm in front of the kidney. A new branch will grow in the direction of the kidney.
- Slice on the ring. The technology is performed to get rid of a full branch growing inside the crown. This is required for thinning and space for the remaining branches. Pruning is carried out at the junction of the branches. This is done exactly on the outer ring.
We recommend watching a video in which the gardener shares the intricacies of pruning trees in spring:
Proper care
It is important to responsibly approach the issue of care after circumcision. If the cut diameter is not more than 1 centimeter, it is imperative to treat the wound using a garden var, which processes the wound on a tree. When, for whatever reason, the garden var does not want to lie on the wound, it is necessary to use paint on the varnish.
It is important not to forget that pruning is an important process in the care of fruit trees, you can get not only an attractive tree in appearance, but also get a good harvest from it. If a person first encountered this procedure, it is necessary to follow all the rules of technology, since inaccuracy can destroy the plant.