Pruning dwarf apple trees
When to prune a dwarf apple tree
To achieve high yields, it is necessary to properly form the crown of the apple tree. If the growth of the crown is left to chance, the yields will decrease every year, and in 3-4 years you will get only a few apples of dubious quality as a reward for negligence.
The crown of dwarf apple trees is formed in March-April, and sanitary and, if necessary, rejuvenating pruning are carried out at the same time. In autumn, after harvesting, sanitary pruning of trees is carried out.
How to prune a dwarf apple tree
Formative pruning of dwarf apple trees is carried out according to the same rules as pruning of tall apple trees, only in a shorter time. There are several types of crowns for trees on dwarf rootstocks - “slender spindle”, “flat spindle”, “free palmette”, “dwarf pyramid”. The latter type is the most popular: from an apple tree they form a tree up to 2.5 m high with an average length of branches of about 1 m.
Spring pruning of an apple tree on a dwarf rootstock
From February to April, before the start of the growing season, sanitary pruning of fruit trees "apple trees" is carried out in our case - it is necessary to cut broken, frostbitten, diseased branches or branches growing in the wrong direction with sharp corners or crowns directed inward. We do pruning two in one Simultaneously with sanitary pruning, we also carry out shaping pruning. So how do you prune a dwarf apple tree? We begin the formation of a dwarf apple tree from the first year after planting - we cut the apple tree to 50-60 cm, make a cut on the kidney, on the side opposite to the graft. By the end of growth in the first year, a young tree should form about 4-5 powerful shoots, of which the topmost (leading conductor) grows almost vertically.
The second year, the leading conductor is cut 25 cm from the base of the growth to a kidney opposite to the cut made the previous year. With the help of this manipulation, an even vertical growth of the leading conductor is maintained. The remaining branches are about 4-5 pieces, shortened at a distance of up to 25 cm from the base. The side shoots that are superfluous for the formation of the apple tree skeleton are cut into three buds, and the second-order shoots are 1-2 buds from their base - these manipulations must be carried out from the beginning of July and continue pruning until the uncut shoots grow up to 20 cm in length. For the third and subsequent years, pruning is continued in the same way according to the same scheme: the conductor is shortened by 20 cm by a kidney opposite to last year's cut, supporting its vertical growth. After the tree reaches the required height, every year in the spring, the entire growth of the leading conductor is removed. Lateral growths of skeletal branches must be cut when they reach 45-50 cm. Also, if necessary, thin out the side branches. If you want to expand the crown, then you need to leave a bud from below when pruning on the edge of the cut branch; if you need to raise the crown, then the bud from above must be left. At the same time, with the help of pruning, it is also possible to control the shape of the crown of the apple tree, releasing or shortening the shoots of the main tiers.
Pruning an apple tree on a dwarf rootstock in autumn
When the crop exceeds the norm in some years, some branches break off or are damaged, therefore it is necessary to carry out sanitary pruning of apple trees in the fall, removing broken, dry, competing, improperly growing and damaged by pests and diseases branches and shoots with the help of pruning. Sections thicker than 30 mm should be allowed to dry and treated with lime or a solution of systemic fungicides. We cut trees down to -10 ºC. At lower temperatures, the wood becomes brittle and brittle, and the temperature is not comfortable for work and there is a risk of breaking expensive tools.
Formative and sanitary pruning improves the quality of the tree crop and prolongs the life and productivity of plants.
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