by Garden trees need to be looked after all year round. The correctness and timeliness of care directly affect how rich the harvest will be and how many years the garden tree will live. Tree pruning is of no small importance, because it is precisely on it that the correct formation of the plant crown depends. It is necessary to begin forming the crown of a very young plant, its main task is to stimulate the strongest branches to grow and bear fruit, while those that interfere, grow in the wrong direction, as well as diseased, injured and old ones, must be cut off. In order for the tree to have an even distribution of strength and nutrition, it is necessary not only to feed it in a timely manner and protect it from harmful insects and various diseases, but also to systematically and correctly prune it in the fall. Thus, on those garden crops that have a well-formed crown, a greater number of fruits grow, and they are of the highest quality.
Pruning fruit trees in autumn
First, we need to find out what pruning is. It is the process of removing an entire shoot or branch or part of it. This method of care is used for both fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs. Pruning is involved in regulating the growth, development and fruiting of such plants. The goals of pruning can be both formative and sanitary, since after this procedure the tree or shrub is freed from those branches that can harm it. If the tree is quite old, then gardeners use rejuvenating pruning, after which the plant gains new strength, while the quantity and quality of fruits remains almost at the same level. This procedure is recommended to be carried out in the spring and autumn, but there are cases when it is simply necessary for garden crops in the summer months. It should be noted that pruning a tree in the fall is possible only if the region has a fairly mild and warm winter. In the northern regions, experts advise carrying out this procedure in the spring. The fact is that a sharp drop in air temperature after autumn pruning leads to the fact that in those places where the branches were cut, the bark freezes, and the wood dries out, and the result of this is the death of the plant. There are types of garden crops that need to be pruned 1 or 2 times a year, but there are also those that do not need such frequent pruning. Pruning, like other agricultural techniques, has certain rules. So, you just need to know when and how to prune a certain garden crop.
Features of apple tree pruning
What time to prune
Apple trees are pruned in the spring and sometimes in the summer, when ripening apples lack light due to their dense crown. It is also done in the fall. In the spring, before the sap starts to flow, branches that have frozen over the winter are removed, and the crown is formed at this time. In the fall, apple trees are pruned in November, and at the same time, the crown is usually sanitized. In this case, pruning in the fall can only begin after the leaves have fallen. A columnar apple tree should be pruned either in the first days of summer or before winter.
Autumn pruning
In autumn, you need to remove those branches that are old, injured, sick or have signs of decay. Since the plant is dormant at this time, this procedure does not cause any harm to it at all.
Approximate plan for autumn pruning of an apple tree:
- First, you need to remove large branches that are damaged or dry;
- from branches growing very close to each other, the strongest ones should be left and the rest should be removed;
- cut off branches growing at an acute angle;
- the cut areas must be covered with paint based on drying oil or garden pitch, with dry branches being treated immediately, and young branches – after 24 hours;
- The branches that were cut must be destroyed.
If the apple tree is young, then only a light pruning is done with the help of pruning shears, and the current year’s growth should be shortened by ¼. After that, these specimens are not pruned for 3-5 years, cutting off only dried and injured branches. However, this is only if the tree does not grow in height too quickly. Those apple trees that are 5-6 years old require medium-intensity pruning – strong branches are shortened by 1/3 of their length. Old apple trees are pruned for the purpose of rejuvenation in 3 stages. Thus, in the first year, approximately 1/3 of all old branches should be removed, in the second year another 1/3 of the old branches, and the remaining 1/3 – after another 1 year. It is worth considering that pruning shears will not cope with adult powerful branches, you cannot do without a saw here. It is also important to remember that the tools used to trim branches must be very sharp and must be disinfected.
How to Prune a Columnar Apple Tree
Regarding the care of columnar apple trees, it is important to remember that the more intensive the pruning, the faster and better the remaining branches will grow. If you prune more than ½ of the branch, then from the 3 or 4 buds that remain, strong shoots will grow next spring. If less than ½ of the branch is removed, then from the 5-7 buds that remain, 5-7 medium-sized shoots will grow. It is prohibited to prune the central conductor of the column, otherwise the crown will begin to branch. If you want to achieve a columnar crown during formation, then after planting the seedling, its apical shoot must be tied to a support. Fruit links should be formed from the lateral shoots. Excessively strong shoots must be cut to a ring, because they can delay the growth of the conductor. After the young shoots grow, they form the skeleton of the crown.
Peculiarities of pruning a pear tree
When to prune a pear tree
Those gardeners who still have too little experience believe that pears should be pruned in the same way as apple trees, but they are wrong. Pear trees, like apple trees, should not be pruned annually. For sanitary purposes, pears can be pruned in the fall only if it is still warm outside. In the same case, if frost has already set in, this procedure should be postponed until next spring, since pear trees cannot be pruned at subzero temperatures. If you do prune the branches, the cut sites will not be able to heal, and the branches themselves will freeze and die. The best time to prune this garden crop is spring, when the outside temperature is warmer than 8 degrees. If the tree needs to be pruned in the fall, this can only be done in September. When pruning for the purpose of forming the crown, it is necessary to remember that the pyramidal shape is more convenient for picking fruits.
Pruning pear trees in autumn
The formation of the tree crown should be started from the first year of its life, and it is necessary to immediately identify the skeletal branches, because this will allow the crown to develop not only correctly, but also symmetrically. Pruning of annual plants is carried out at a height of 40 to 50 centimeters from the ground surface. For those pears that are 2 years old, only 6 or 8 of the existing 3-4 lateral branches should be left, which will take on the role of skeletal ones. They should be pruned at the same level. The conductor should be cut 20 centimeters higher than the branches that are skeletal. Autumn pruning of adult pear trees is usually carried out only for sanitary purposes. So, at this time, you should cut off branches that thicken the crown, as well as injured and diseased ones. It is also recommended to shorten the top and annual shoots by 1/3, but only if the pear tree stretches upward too much, this will strengthen the plant, as well as increase branching, and the buds will begin to develop more quickly. But at the same time, try not to disturb the shape of the crown during the procedure, which should be pyramidal. After the pruning is complete, it is necessary to coat the cut sites, as well as existing cracks and damage on the surface of the bark with garden pitch. In this case, adult dry branches should be treated immediately, and young ones – after 24 hours.
Rejuvenating pruning of an old pear tree begins with shortening the top. However, if annual pruning was done correctly, the crown should have an optimal height. In this case, it is only necessary to thin out the crown, for this, all old and dried branches are cut out, as well as those that do not bear fruit and grow at an acute angle or parallel to the trunk, the same shoots that remain should be cut by ¼. The treatment should be done with paint made on drying oil or garden pitch. It is recommended to carry out such pruning for old trees in the spring, since in this case the plant will endure it less painfully, but this procedure must be done before the buds wake up, and the air temperature outside should be at least 5 degrees.
Features of plum pruning
When to prune a plum tree
Plums should also be pruned, like other garden crops, and this procedure is carried out when necessary at different times of the year. Spring pruning is carried out before the buds open, at this time you should remove those parts of the branches that have frozen, and you also need to prepare the plum for the period of active growth by forming the crown. In the summer, if there are too many fruits, pruning may be required in order to prevent branches from breaking. After the leaves have fallen in the fall, it is necessary to prepare this garden crop for wintering.
Pruning plums in autumn
By pruning a plum tree in the fall, a gardener not only prepares it for the coming winter, but also helps to increase the yield. After the plant stops growing and all the leaves fall off, the plant begins to prepare for sleep. At this time, injured, dry, insect-damaged and diseased branches should be cut off from the tree, and the top should also be shortened, but this is only if the height of the tree exceeds 250 centimeters. After this, it is necessary to shorten the shoots that are growing too quickly, and also cut off the competing shoots, because in the spring they will begin to grow and this will lead to thickening of the crown, due to which the light will be much worse. In young plums, the upper and lateral shoots should be shortened by no more than 1/3, while the branches that grow inside the crown should be cut off completely. Shortening of old branches is done in the spring, but if desired, during the autumn pruning, you can remove trunk branches that have not borne fruit this year, as well as cut off dry or diseased shoots. Those branches that were cut must be destroyed. The cut sites must be treated. If the plum tree is old, then it is better to postpone pruning until spring. The fact is that wounds on them do not heal so quickly, and in most cases gum begins to flow out of them, as a result of which the onset of frost can ruin the plant, which could bear fruit for many more years.
Features of cherry pruning
When to prune cherry trees
Cherry trees should not be pruned every year. If there is a need for formative or rejuvenating pruning, this procedure should be carried out in the spring. In the fall, pruning can only be done for sanitary purposes. If winters are mild and warm, then in such areas the plant can be pruned in October. And in northern areas, where frosty winters are observed, autumn pruning should be done in September. You can start pruning the plant immediately after the end of leaf fall, but if frosts are expected in the near future, then this procedure should be postponed until the spring.
Pruning cherry trees in autumn
Those seedlings that are only 1 year old are not pruned in the fall, the fact is that they are not able to recover quickly, and the onset of frost can destroy them. In older cherries, all branches should be cut off except for the 5 strongest ones, which should be directed to the sides. At the same time, they should grow no closer than 10 centimeters from each other. Sanitary pruning of adult cherries is carried out only when necessary, while dry, injured, and diseased branches must be cut off. In the fall, all shoots should be cut off, because they make the plant weaker, and in winter, small rodents like to hide in them, as well as various pests. In the case when the plant is own-rooted, its shoots are quite suitable for planting, because they are able to preserve all the varietal characteristics of the parent plant. In a grafted plant, shoots should not be used for planting, and they must be removed, as they can cause significant harm to the cherry. Formative pruning of young cherries is done in spring. Pruning of old plants, which is done for the purpose of rejuvenation, is also postponed until this time.
Peculiarities of apricot pruning
When to prune an apricot
Apricots are pruned in spring, summer and autumn. In spring, pruning should be thorough, it includes formative, sanitary and, if necessary, rejuvenating. In summer, the plant is pruned only when there is a risk that the branches will break off due to the large number of fruits. In autumn, pruning is done for sanitary purposes, it prepares the plant for the coming winter.
Pruning apricot in autumn
Before you start trimming the branches, you need to think about what shape the plant crown should have – tiered or untiered. If there is not much space in the garden, it is recommended to give the apricot crown a cup-shaped form, for this the branches should be shortened by about ½. In the fall, the apricot needs sanitary pruning, for this you need to remove injured, diseased, dry branches, and you also need to thin out the crown, for this you need to remove those branches and shoots that grow inward. But at the same time, you should remember that such a plant loves warmth very much, therefore, deep cuts cannot be made. If this does happen, the wound should be smeared with copper sulfate, and then with garden pitch to prevent gum from leaking out.
Peculiarities of peach pruning
When to prune a peach tree
Peach pruning can be done in summer, autumn and spring. In spring, the plant needs formative pruning, and branches that were damaged by frost should also be removed. If necessary, old peaches are given rejuvenating pruning. In summer, the plant is pruned as needed. In autumn, the peach needs to be prepared for the coming winter.
Pruning peach in autumn
In autumn, it is necessary to cut off all branches that are not needed, as well as those that have been damaged by pests or diseases. Cut branches must be destroyed, do not forget to coat the cut areas on the plant with oil paint or garden pitch.
Features of cherry pruning
When to prune cherry trees
Formative pruning should be done in the spring. In the fall, it is necessary to carry out sanitary and mandatory rejuvenating pruning (most experts advise). But there is also an opinion that in the fall, pruning should be done only in extreme cases, to rid the plant of injured and diseased or pest-infested branches. If this plant is pruned very heavily in the fall, this can lead to a slowdown in its fruiting. Which of the options for autumn pruning of cherries to choose, the gardener himself must decide. For example, in the fall, you can do rejuvenating pruning, but if something does not suit you in the condition of the plant, then postpone this procedure until spring next year.
Pruning cherry trees in autumn
Experts advise giving the crown of the plant a conical shape, while the base should be wide. In this case, the plant will have enough light and heat, and air circulation inside the crown will also improve. And if desired, the crown can be given a cup-shaped form or in the form of a tier. In the fall, when the leaves end, it is necessary to remove all injured, dry and diseased branches and stems. For rejuvenation, it is necessary to cut off those branches that are 6-8 years old to a ring, while the cut sites must be coated with oil paint or garden pitch.
Pruning other garden trees
It should be remembered that the main pruning of various fruit crops should be done in the spring, with the exception of apple and pear trees. The temperature outside should be above zero, but you need to do it before the buds swell. The fact is that wounds on these plants heal better and faster in the warmth. In the fall, it is most often recommended to remove only unnecessary branches. This pruning principle is applicable not only to the above-described plants, but also to sea buckthorn, cherry plum, mulberry, quince, shadberry, viburnum, etc.
Pruning techniques:
- Cut to the bud — this will help change the growth of the branch and direct it in the right direction. On a one-year-old stem, you need to find a bud that looks in the direction you need. Then, near it, a branch is cut at an angle of 45 degrees, so that the stump on the opposite side of the stem from the bud is not too long (the length of the thorn is about 1,5–2 centimeters). The fact is that a longer stump most often dries up, and the bud never awakens in the spring.
- Cut to ring – when removing an unnecessary branch, it is cut out entirely along the outer edge of the ring (a special bark influx at the junction of the cut branch with the one that remains). This type of pruning will help make the side branch the main one.
There are several different types of pruning used for garden crops, namely: regulatory, restorative, formative, rejuvenating and sanitary.
Garden pitch is applied to the cuts and wounds, with the layer being about 0,3–0,5 centimeters thick. Currently, experts increasingly recommend replacing this product with latex paint, which contains copper salts, or you can use “artificial bark” — this product accelerates the recovery process and also protects the wound from excessive drying out, as well as from pathogenic microorganisms and water getting into it.
