Spring Pruning Methods and Technical Key Points for Densely Planted Jujube Trees

The small canopy open-center layered form has a trunk height of 80-90 cm. Suppress the secondary branches on the trunk and promote the development of 3-4 jujube heads (main shoots), so that the topmost jujube head extends upward to become the trunk extension branch, and the 2-3 jujube heads below are trained as main branches. In the second year, cut back the trunk branch leaving about 60 cm, and remove the 2-3 secondary branches below the cut, so as to form two second-tier main branches and one trunk extension branch. In this way, a tree form with one central trunk and five main branches is basically formed. The main branches on the trunk are generally not cut back; when they grow to about 90 cm, the growing tips can be pinched off. The main branches are the basic units of fruiting; after fruiting they naturally spread open, and after 7-8 years the fruiting sites move outward and yield begins to decline, so renewal should be carried out promptly. That is, cut back heavily at a trunk height of 1 m, and prune the original old branches on the trunk to begin the second round of shaping.

For the cylindrical form, this tree shape can use seedlings already established in place, or rootstock seedlings can be planted first and then grafted. In the year of grafting, new shoot growth can reach 1-2 m, so pruning is not necessary; in the second year, when they reach more than 2 m, pinch off the growing tips to set the trunk height, and in the third year they can bear fruit. In the fifth and sixth years, the secondary branches on the trunk begin to sprout jujube heads; select branches with suitable position, direction and vigor to train as main branches, and promptly remove excess shoots as soon as they sprout. This tree shape can be maintained for about 10 years. After renewal, if the cylindrical form is to continue to be used, cut back heavily close to the ground, and after shoots emerge select one vigorous jujube head for training; if it is to be changed to the small canopy open-center layered form, cut back at about 1 m above the ground, and prune away the original branches on the trunk to begin the second round of shaping.