Many varieties of apple, pear, plum and other species naturally build soaring and slender crowns.This is because the branches that sprout to the sides grow almost vertically upwards instead of to the sides.As a result, sharp angles of bifurcation between the conductor and the branches are created. It favors breaking off the shoots, especially under the weight of snow or fruit.
To avoid this, apart from cutting trees, it is necessary to bend branches growing at the wrong angle. This especially applies to young trees, so we start bending the shoots from the first year after planting.It has been proven that after bending the twigs grow much slower.This creates more flower buds and produces more fruit.
1. Older branches, 2-3 years old, are usually difficult to bend, so a strong string will help. One end is tied to the end of the branch, and the other end is attached to a trunk or an anchor fixed in the ground. When attaching to a trunk or a lower branch, it is necessary to wrap the attachment point with a cloth to prevent the string from cutting into the bark.
2. In the case of young trees, the correct bifurcation angles can be obtained by using plastic clips.We put them on the guide, then bend a twig and put a clip on it.It is a convenient and quick method of giving the right shape to young tree crowns. The buckles are durable and we can use them for many years.
3. 1-2-year-old shoots are best suited for bending. Young twigs can also be easily bent with hand-made weights.To make a sinker, it is enough to concret a hook-shaped piece of wire in a plastic container (e.g. after yogurt).After setting the concrete, hang the weight on the selected twig.
Important: we don't have to bend the twigs completely horizontally. You only need to bend them a bit. For most species, the branches should protrude from the conductor at an angle of 60 ° to 90 °. Remember to regularly check that the twine or fasteners are not sticking into the bark.After 2-3 months after bending, remove the fastening and check if the stem naturally holds its position.
