How to prune newly planted Sichuan pepper trees? Suitable timing and methods explained in detail

Summary: How should newly planted Sichuan pepper trees be pruned, and when is the right time to prune?

Many friends enjoy eating Sichuan pepper, and I like it too - I can't do without it every time I cook. However, the price of Sichuan pepper is indeed not low, which is mainly related to its yield. Friends who have grown Sichuan pepper should know that its yield is very low - generally one Sichuan pepper tree can't even produce a few jin of Sichuan pepper. Of course, if you want a good harvest of Sichuan pepper, pruning is naturally indispensable. Here I'll share some knowledge about pruning Sichuan pepper.

How to prune Sichuan pepper trees?

First, what's mentioned in the question is newly planted Sichuan pepper trees. Newly planted Sichuan pepper trees generally belong to young trees. At this stage, pruning of Sichuan pepper trees is relatively minimal, mainly focusing on shaping and pruning of young trees to form a good tree structure. Generally, the shaping and pruning of young trees includes three types: natural open-center form, multi-main-branch clump form, and sparse-layered small-canopy spindle form.

Here I'll mainly talk about the natural open-center form

Natural open-center form: Sichuan pepper trees in the natural open-center form generally have an obvious trunk, with the trunk typically about 35 cm tall. Generally, three main branches are retained on the trunk, and about three side branches are retained on each main branch. This tree form helps Sichuan pepper trees take shape quickly, bear fruit early, and helps achieve uniform light exposure and increased yield. The suitable pruning time is in autumn.

Pruning method: First, trunk heading is needed. The height of trunk heading needs to consider factors such as the variety of Sichuan pepper tree and the planting environment. Generally, the trunk heading height for Sichuan pepper trees is about 30 to 50 cm. When heading the trunk, about six plump buds should be retained about 10 cm below the cut. After the Sichuan pepper tree sprouts, remove the new shoots below the retained plump buds.

In the first year after planting, generally three well-growing Sichuan pepper branches are selected as main branches for training, and the other branches are used as auxiliary nurturing branches. For auxiliary nurturing branches, methods such as pulling, hanging, and pressing are generally used to control growth. When the retained main branches of the Sichuan pepper tree grow to about 50 cm, generally in June each year, pinching begins to cultivate secondary branches.

During winter pruning, attention should be paid to the pruning location. Generally, both main branches and side branches should be cut at plump buds. The growth angle of the main branches should preferably maintain an angle of about 60 degrees from the vertical direction. If the angle is not suitable, it is best to adjust the growth angle of the main branches.

In addition, branches other than the main branches should be kept or removed according to their growth conditions. Generally, if they do not affect the growth of the main branches, they can appropriately serve as auxiliary nurturing branches. If they affect growth or overlap or cross, appropriate thinning can be carried out. When thinning, they are generally cut off directly from the base of the branch.

The final shaping of a natural open-center form Sichuan pepper tree generally takes four years, and shaping and pruning are needed every year during this period. In the second year, pinching is carried out at 40 to 50 cm on the Sichuan pepper tree to cultivate second-level side branches, with the direction opposite to the growth direction of the first-level side branches. In the third year, pinching is carried out at 50 to 60 cm to cultivate third-level side branches, with the direction opposite to the second-level side branches. In the fourth year, there is no need to cultivate more side branches, but pinching is still needed to prevent overly vigorous branches from growing at the top. Also, pay attention to strengthening the inner canopy branch groups.

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