What tree pruning methods are there? An introduction to common pruning techniques

Many trees need a certain amount of pruning as they grow, so that they look better and grow stronger. So what tree pruning methods are there?

1. Thinning out branches

This refers to removing part of the branches from the base when the branches inside the plant are too dense. The branches to be thinned out are crossing branches, parallel branches, inward-growing branches, diseased branches and aged branches.

Besides thinning out branches, there is also bud thinning and flower thinning. Among these, bud thinning is done to ensure flower quality and increase the diameter of each flower head; flower thinning is done to increase the number of fruit set in ornamental fruit plants.

2. Heading back

Heading back refers to cutting short a one-year-old branch and leaving part of the branch to grow. Its main purpose is to encourage it to sprout new shoots and increase the number of branches, so as to keep the tree vigorous and bearing fruit normally.

According to the length retained, it can be further divided into five types: light heading, medium heading, heavy heading, heavy pruning and extremely heavy heading.

3. Removing suckers

Removing suckers means removing the tender shoots that grow in the current year at the base of the tree trunk and near wounds, or the root suckers that grow from the roots, because these root suckers absorb the tree's nutrients and are not good for the tree's growth.

4. Pinching

Pinching, also called topping, refers to the work of treating the reserved trunk branches, basic branches or side branches. Pinching can control growth in height and length, and helps thicken growth and speed up fruit development.

Generally speaking, pinching should be done in the morning. If it is a fruit-bearing branch, 2 to 3 leaves should be left in front of the outermost 1 flower cluster, which not only helps the fruit grow but also prevents the fruit from being directly exposed to sunlight and getting sunscald.