When is the best time to bend the branches of a prickly ash tree?
Bending the branches of a prickly ash tree means spreading out the branch angles of the tree. By propping, pressing, pulling and other methods to change the growth angle of the scaffold branches and auxiliary branches of the prickly ash tree, the goal of adjusting the tree crown is achieved, the permeability of the tree body is improved, and the yield and quality of prickly ash are increased. So when is the best time to bend the branches of a prickly ash tree? And what should be noted when bending branches? Below, the editor will give you a brief introduction. Let's take a look together!
1. Time for bending branches
When bending the branches of a prickly ash tree, it should generally be done after the Mid-Autumn Festival or at Qingming Festival in the spring of the second year. These two periods are very suitable for bending the branches of a prickly ash tree, because during these two periods the branches of the prickly ash tree are relatively soft. When bending branches, the branches are not easily injured and split. After entering September, the branches of the prickly ash tree will gradually become lignified, and the branches will also become relatively stiff. If branches are bent, it may cause injury to the xylem of the branches. After the branches are injured, their cold resistance will weaken, and they are prone to frost damage in winter and cannot overwinter safely.
2. Targets for bending branches
In addition to clearly understanding the time for bending branches, the targets for bending branches also need to be clear to us. First are some main branches whose tip angles are not open, second are auxiliary branches growing level with the main branches. Then there are also side-bearing branches growing in parallel, and finally some main and side branches that are unreasonably distributed and improperly positioned. These branches can all be adjusted to good angles and growth directions through propping, pulling and other artificial branch-bending methods. This encourages the prickly ash tree to form a good crown structure, improves the permeability of the prickly ash tree as well as the utilization rate of light energy and space, and advances the fruiting time and yield.
3. Angle for bending branches
When bending branches, it is not enough to simply spread the branches to any angle. Among these, the angle is what we need to pay special attention to. If it is a main branch, then it should be raised upward, while side branches only need to remain level. When bending main branches, the angle of the upper and lower branch groups should be appropriately smaller, and horizontal branches should remain slender, so as to create a three-dimensional fruiting space. When distributing branches and branch groups, keep a reasonable mix of large, medium and small branches, and the distribution of upper, middle and lower branches should be staggered but orderly.
4. Precautions for bending branches
There are still many points we need to pay attention to when bending branches. First, if the prickly ash tree is weak in vigor, then it is best not to bend branches, and moreover, when branches are short, try not to bend them either. Before bending branches, pruning work should also be done well, removing diseased and disabled parts, old branches and other branches. Then when bending branches, first gently pull the branches to a suitable angle, and do not use too much force. Avoid causing branch damage, breakage, and so on. Finally, if the branches split during bending, then apply a healing agent appropriately at the split, then wrap it with film to avoid gummosis.
The above is a brief introduction to the best time for bending the branches of a prickly ash tree. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can help everyone!