We associate old orchards with trees with wide and spreading crowns. Over the past several decades, along with the development of commercial orchards, the number of trees in the same area has been steadily increasing. In the case of apple trees, instead of 400-500 trees per hectare, the tree density now reaches several thousand.With such a high density of trees, there was a need to create a correspondingly smaller and, above all, narrower form of the crown.
Through trial and error, a narrow and slender crown was created that was perfectly suited to orchards with intensive production levels.This crown was called the axial. The name refers to the axis formed by a simple guide.The construction of this type of crown is extremely simple, and at the same time extremely easy to use, even for beginner fruit growers.Only one trunk is brought out in the nursery, which turns into a vertically growing guide as the tree grows.
Small side shoots extend from the guide along its entire length. The axial crown is easy to recognize because its width is practically the same from the bottom to the top. Correctly formed axial crown should resemble a narrow cylinder in cross section.As long as we do not allow the tree to grow sideways, it usually grows upwards.This type of crown in orchards is often even 3-4 meters high. Of course, at this height, a solid stake will be useful to prevent the tree from breaking under the weight of high-growing fruits.
Axial crown works very well also in home gardens. Apple, pear or peach trees are easy to form and do not require much space for proper development.
Step by step in the first year:
- We choose a tree in the nursery with one simple guide and a few side shoots extending from it.
- After planting the tree, carefully attach it to a long and strong stake placed next to the guide.
- Trim the long guide about 40 cm above the last side shoot.The shorter guide can be left without cutting.
- Bend the side shoots growing at an acute angle with the help of weights to a more horizontal position.
Forming in the coming years
- Make sure that there is only one vertically ascending conductor at all times. Every spring we systematically cut out all the shoots that compete with the guide or bend them to the sides.
- During main pruning each year, prune all side shoots more than 3 years old.Thanks to this, we will ensure constant replacement of older shoots with young ones.
- Always leave a 10-15 cm tenon when cutting down older branches.
- We leave small fruit-bearing branches without cutting.
- We systematically bend all the twigs growing too vertically upwards.
