The Latest Detailed Guide to Apple Tree Thinning Time and Methods

Apple is a very common fruit with very high nutritional value, and it has a very large planting area in our country. When growing apple trees, we should pay attention to management tasks such as pruning and thinning branches, fertilizing and watering. Thinning branches in particular has a very large impact on yield and fruit quality. So today, the editor has brought you the thinning time and methods for apple trees. Let's take a look below!

1. The role of thinning branches

Apple branch thinning is generally carried out during winter pruning and summer pruning. Reasonable branch thinning can improve the light conditions of the branches inside the canopy and provide sufficient nutrients for nearby branches. After thinning, it can inhibit the branches in front of the wound, while it can promote the branches behind the wound. For the entire apple tree, if there is a relatively large amount of branch thinning in the upper part of the plant, then the growth advantage originally belonging to the top will begin to shift to the lower branches, improving the growth capacity of the lower branches. On the contrary, if there is a lot of thinning in the lower part, then the growth capacity of the upper branches will be strengthened. And because the amount of branches and leaves is reduced, it can moderate the thickening growth of the mother branch.

2. Thinning time

The suitable time for thinning apple trees is generally during the growth period and dormant period of the apple tree, and some useless root suckers can also be thinned in spring. After the fruit is harvested and before the leaves fall, thinning is best, because at this time the leaves of the canopy are complete, and the canopy permeability can be effectively assessed. After thinning large branches, the canopy light can be effectively improved, enhancing the growth capacity of the leaves and promoting the growth of flower buds. It can also increase the healing speed of wounds, reduce the harm of diseases and pests, share the workload of winter pruning, and at the same time will not excessively weaken the growth vigor of the apple tree.

3. Thinning methods

First, we should thin out the main branches that grow too many, too densely, and are located relatively low. Many apple orchards have phenomena such as too many, too low, and too dense main branches, causing the apple trees to be strangled. When pruning, we should pay attention to carrying out thinning in a planned way according to the growth years. Usually, about two branches with the greatest impact are pruned each year to maintain the growth of the central leader and improve sufficient light. Then we should also pay attention to thinning out competing branches, because the angle between competing branches and the trunk is generally not very large. Their utilization rate is relatively low, so do not hesitate to thin them out in time. For perennial large branches, if their thickness is greater than 1/3 of the trunk, then they should also be thinned out in time.

Then the large branches on single-axis extension branches should also be thinned out in time. In addition, branches growing strongly on the main branches usually also need to be thinned out, so as to facilitate the work of suppressing the front and promoting the back, allowing the branches to sprout into small branches and improving the survival rate. In addition, some back branches and water sprouts should also be thinned out in time to avoid consuming too many nutrients, moderate the growth vigor of the apple tree, and provide a good light environment. Finally, for some whose continuous fruiting time exceeds 5 years, and whose branch diameter exceeds 5 cm, they should all be thinned out. Because they will not only consume a large amount of nutrients, but also have a great impact on the development of the entire tree shape. Some diseased and pest-damaged, crossed and overlapping, and diseased branches are naturally also not to be ignored.

The above is a brief introduction to the thinning time and methods for apple trees. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can help everyone!