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Fruit Tree Pruning. John Strang U.K. Dept. of Horticulture. Reasons for Pruning. Reduce tree size Control tree shape Make trees structurally strong. Reasons for Pruning. Improve light penetration Flower bud initiation Fruit color Pest control. Reasons for Pruning.
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Fruit Tree Pruning John Strang U.K. Dept. of Horticulture
Reasons for Pruning • Reduce tree size • Control tree shape • Make trees structurally strong
Reasons for Pruning • Improve light penetration • Flower bud initiation • Fruit color • Pest control
Reasons for Pruning • Removal of diseased wood • Fruit rot control
Partially reduce crop load Facilitate cultural operations Reasons for Pruning
Reasons for Pruning • Keep the crop close to the ground
When to Prune • Dormant season • February – bloom • Prune old trees first • Young trees last • Exceptions • Peaches after bloom
Remove Narrow Branch Angles Strong Weak
Opens tree up for sunlight and spray penetration Reduces shoot and limb vigor Encourages flowering Branch Spreading Too little Too much
Apple – Dwarf High Density • Slender Spindle • French Axe • Vertical Axis • See HortFact-3501 • Training and Culture of Dwarf Apples Using the Vertical Axis System
Remove dead wood Reduce tree height Cut out 3-4 large branches Cut back to outward growing branches Pruning Neglected Trees