Pruning and Trees care tips

Initial pruning and training helps in developing a strong frame to support fruit production. Incorrectly trained fruit trees tend to have upright branches which under load of fruiting results in serious limb damage and breakages. This may be the reason some trees are in the habit of bearing fruit in alternate years. With proper pruning and training the tree's strength is increased to induce it to bear fruit early and during every season.

In well established trees a few main branches are reduced to encourage fresh growth and permit air movement and maximize light to penetrate into the canopy. Light is essential for flower buds to develop and optimize fruit set, quality and flavor. Disease infection is minimized and pests are reduced by opening up the canopy as air freely flows and light is penetrated to reach inner branches.

Long thin branches should either be shortened or removed as these cannot possibly carry the weight of the fruits. Leave one trunk as the central leader. Branches with less than 60 degrees crotch angles should be removed. Spread out and space laterals to form an angle of 60 – 70 degrees between the leader and the side shoot called the branch angle or crotch angle. The branches around the leader should be spaced uniformly preventing it to overcrowd as they grow.

It is best to reduce the number of fruit buds as too many fruit buds put a strain on the tree resulting in a weak crop. Pruning is also done to encourage formation of several fruit buds on one young shoot. Two shoots out of every six shoots are cut back to the length of an inch. The uncut branches will form fruit buds more freely for nearly two years, after which they are severed from the tree, allowing the pruned shoots to develop stronger fruit buds. Fruit trees should be immediately pruned after planting removing the weaker of the branches if two are found to be growing from the same point. For proper tree development it is essential to prune young trees. However it is sometimes better to direct tree growth by training.

Pruning referred to as dormant pruning is done during the winter months. Training and pruning is also carried out during summer months. Trees respond differently to pruning during these times. Mature neglected trees often overgrown shade the rest of the tree. Remove not more than thirty percent of the top by cutting back. Reducing it more than that will shift it into producing an excessive leaf growth and have little or no fruit buds developing.

A healthy well formed tree is both aesthetically pleasing to the eye and a good producer of succulent fruit.