Detailed Explanation of the Correct Methods and Techniques for Pruning Branches

Whether fruit trees, landscaping trees, or bonsai, they need to be pruned after growing for a certain period of time to improve their ornamental value and fruiting rate. So what are the methods for pruning branches?

1. What are the methods for pruning branches?

1. Twisting shoots

This is done at the semi-lignified part of a relatively vigorous upright new shoot, twisting it by hand so that the xylem and phloem are both injured at the same time without breaking. The injured new shoot droops or is pulled flat. Generally, when the new shoot is about 30 cm long, twist the young shoot at a point 15 cm from the base. Twisting shoots can transform vigorous water sprouts into fruiting branches, improve light conditions, moderate tree vigor, and prevent excessive vegetative growth.

2. Pinching

This means removing the young tender part at the tip of a growing branch. Pinching can alter nutrient distribution. A pinched branch temporarily stops growing, which not only helps the branch become sturdy and improves flower bud fullness, but also reduces nutrient competition with adjacent branches. Pinch when the shoot is 20 cm long. After pinching, when the newly emerged shoot grows to 30 cm, twist it.

3. Bending branches

This can open the angle, moderate tree vigor, improve light conditions, and prevent the lower part of the branch from becoming bare. Bending branches is generally carried out from May to June, when it is easy to pull them into shape. The bending angle should be about 80 degrees, and they should not be bent into a water-like shape.

2. Why should saplings be pruned in winter?

1. In winter, the leaves of fruit tree saplings completely fall off. This is also an instinctive response of fruit trees to resist the severe cold of winter. Fruit trees need to retain all the nutrients absorbed from the roots in the trunk and branches to get through winter. Pruning branches is precisely to cut off the excess branches with poor growth, so that nutrients can be retained in the most vigorous state.

2. The reason branches must be pruned in winter is also closely related to the growth habits of fruit trees. Because plants must have good photosynthesis for fruit trees to grow vigorously, and for the fruits they bear to grow larger. Pruning branches is to reduce the density of branches so that the fruit tree can carry out photosynthesis in all directions.

3. After all, fruit trees can only be more efficient and high-yielding under artificial management, but not every kind of fruit tree is suitable for high yield. This must be calculated according to tree age. If your fruit tree is relatively young, pruning excess branches will also remove the flower buds on that branch, so as to reduce fruit density. This also prevents too many fruits from breaking the branches.