Tree Fruit Production

1. Tree Fruit Production

2. TRAINING To cause to grow in a desired form or fashion

3. PRUNING Removing unwanted wood

4. Pruning is reallylight management

5. Shading by a single leaf • Lowers light intensity to just 10% of leaves in full sunlight • Reduces photosynthesis to 28% of leaves in full sunlight • Limits the export of carbohydrates to fruits and spurs

7. The Shade a Tree Casts on Itself is its own Worst Enemy

8. 60 to 100% Full Sun 33% leaf area 30 to 60% Full Sun 38% leaf area 0 to 30 % Full Sun 29% leaf area

9. 5% 2% Semi-dwarf 3,50m. Dwarf 2,50m 15% 30% Semi-Standard 4,60m. Standard 6,50

10. Tree Shape Influence

11. Training and Pruning • Pruning is a part of the training program, with some required to: 1) Eliminate potential structural problems. 2) Remove superfluous branches. 3) Direct the growth of selected structural units.

12. Vertical Growth • Very vegetatively vigorous • Not fruitful

14. Horizontal growth • Not vegetatively vigorous • Very fruitful

16. Response to Branch Angle • Horizontal • Less growth. • Near base. • Greatest flower production. Vertical • Vigorous terminal growth. • Minimal flower production.

17. Training Techniques • Spreading • Bending • Trellising • Tying • All position limbs

20. Wrong—weak crotch Right—strong crotch

24. Toothpicks

25. Normal Response Clothes pin response Clothes pin growth 3-4”

30. Types of wood removed during pruning • Suckers–arise from roots • Watersprouts –strong upright growth in tree interior • Spur –short lateral branch • Leader –the primary vertical axis of tree • Scaffold –major lateral branch

31. Suckers

32. Water sprouts

33. Spur

34. Central Leader Scaffold

35. Types of pruning cuts • Heading cut • Thinning cut • Bench cut • Stubbing cut • Dutch cut • Chain saw cut

36. Heading Cut

37. Removal of Apical Dominance Headingremoves the growing point or terminal bud. This results in severe changes in the hormonal balance of the shoot. Downward flow of inhibitors Growing points are released

38. Heading cut Unpruned Dormant

39. Thinning cut

41. Dutch Cut

42. Bench Cut

43. Pruning Tools • Use tools made for pruning • Keep them clean and sharp • Use only for pruning

44. When to prune? • Dormant season • Late February to late April • Not before January

46. Pruning Procedure • Remove water sprouts and suckers • Remove broken and damaged branches • Remove pendant branches • Remove weaker of crossing branches • Remove old complex spurs • Evaluate often (step back)

47. Evaluation • Can you see through the tree? • Are there dense masses of limbs? • Are there “windows” for light?

48. Staking • Prevents wind whipping • Supports graft union • Helps maintain central leader • Critical for dwarf trees • Place the stake about 5 cm. from the tree, fasten the tree to the stake, use non-metallic fasteners

49. Tree Support Influences Growth and Fruiting Reduced movement • Less secondary trunk thickening. • Fewer carbohydrates used in wood development. • More available for fruit production.

50. Staking Modifies Tree Growth • Un-staked trees require more pruning. Shoot Growth - Fruiting • Movement causes minute damage to cells and trunk tissue. • Stress Ethylene Lateral Cell Growth