Summer pruning of fruit treesis a very important procedure for trees that have grown a lot of strong, vertical shoots called wolves after the winter-spring pruning. Particularly important issummer pruning of apple trees , in which growing wolves may overly thicken the crown and hinder the maturation of apples. Thesummer pruning of the pear treeandsummer pruning of the plumis also often carried out, because in these trees the problem of wolf outgrowth also occurs. See what is the bestsummer pruning date for fruit treesand how to best perform this treatment. How to recognize wolves and which shoots of fruit trees to cut in summer? "
Summer pruning of fruit trees
Summer apple pruning
"Summer pruning of apple treesis usually a consequence of winter pruning, because strong overexposure of the tree crown at the end of winter or in early spring results in the emergence of a large number of so-called wolves, or thin shoots growing vertically upwards. These shoots thicken the crown of the tree too much and limit the access of light to the ripening fruit. Therefore, properly performedsummer apple pruningimproves fruit ripening. "
Which apple shoots to cut during the summer pruning?
During thesummer pruning of the apple tree , shoots that grow vertically upwards, at least 40 cm long, are cut. Shorter shoots and growing arched, diagonally or horizontally, should be left as they can form flower buds and bear fruit. The second rule is that such wolves are removed primarily in the center and at the top of the tree&39;s crown.On the other hand, more tolerance is shown for the shoots growing around the perimeter of the crown, especially those growing outside.
When to perform summer apple pruning? "
"In June, newly emerging young wolves can be pulled out, and in July and August, they are cut out right next to the bough. It is very important to properly choosethe date of the summer apple pruningdepending on the date of ripening of the fruit of a given variety. If we make them too early, new wolves will grow and the fruit will be small, and if we are late - the apples will not have time to take on a characteristic blush. "
Therefore,the term for the summer pruning of apple fruit treesis 3-4 weeks before the fruit harvest. Generally speaking, in the case of early apple varieties, harvested at the beginning of August, summer pruning should be made at the beginning of July, and winter varieties can be pruned for up to 6 weeks - from mid-July to the end of August. The table below gives the bestsummer pruning datesof selected apple varieties.
Summer pruning of fruit trees - deadlines for apple trees
Summer pruning of pear and plum
In July and August, thesummer pruning of the pear and plum is also performedWolves on pears and strong shoots of plums are cut smooth at the root. Weaker plum shoots should be cut on average above the fifth leaf, counting from the root, usually shortening them to a length of 12-15 cm. You can trim them with a secateurs or break them out with your fingers. It happens that in the same year, flower buds for the next year will appear on such shortened plum shoots. In this way, we increase the number of fruiting shoots on the tree, and after about two years, we can observe a reduction in the growth rate in favor of more abundant fruiting. Duringsummer pruning of fruit treeswe also cut out shoots with symptoms of disease infestation and crossing each other.
Thesummer cutting of fruit treescherries is performed in a completely different way, because for these plants summer is the term for basic cutting, not supplementary cutting. That is why we have devoted separate articles to the cutting of cherries.
Remember!Always perform summer pruning of fruit trees on a dry and clear day. Due to the risk of pathogenic infection, cut wounds should be covered with garden ointment or emulsion paint with the addition of a fungicide, e.g. Topsin M 500 SC.
Become confident in pruning fruit plants
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This is the second part of the best-selling book "Cutting School", in which the authors Lucyna and Alicja Grabowskieexplained in a simple and clear way the secrets of cuttingornamental plants. The first book The School of Cutting for its simple language and clear, accurate drawings was loved by garden owners all over Poland.The book quickly became a bestseller- 20,000 copies sold! "
"Cutting School 2" will make youconfident in pruning fruit trees and shrubsand learn to cut plants so that they grow according to your expectations and bear fruit abundantly.After reading this book, your approach to pruning plants will probably change completely!
