Detailed Explanation of Key Pruning Techniques for Goji Berry Trees

I. Pruning in the Young Stage

1. Trunk-establishing pruning: During the bud-break period of the nursery stock, remove the buds below 40 cm (the branching zone) on the main trunk base stem, and cut the top at a plant height of 60 cm~70 cm.

2. Summer pruning: From late April to late July, at 15-day intervals, remove the shoots within the branching zone of the main trunk, and cut back the lateral branches retained on the branching zone at 20 cm~25 cm to promote the sprouting of secondary fruiting branches; from the strong upward-growing branches on the lateral branches, select and retain 2~3 branches growing in different directions close to the main branch, and cut and join them at 30 cm to promote the development of fruiting branches.

3. Autumn pruning: From September to October, remove the water sprouts that have grown from the plant's root crown, main trunk, and inner canopy. Over the following two years, gradually develop fruiting branch groups, and by the 4th year the shape is basically formed.

II. Pruning in the Mature Stage

1. Dormant-season pruning (1) Cutting: Remove useless water sprouts growing on the plant, root crown, main trunk, inner canopy, and canopy top, as well as diseased, pest-infested, and broken branches in the canopy layers, and overly dense weak twigs and old fruiting branches on fruiting branch groups. (2) Trimming: Cut back the crossing branches and strong fruiting branches in the middle and upper parts of the tree canopy.

2. Summer pruning: After the first fruiting, remove the water sprouts on the main trunk, root crown, inner canopy, and tree canopy top, and the overly dense branch groups inside the canopy top. Cut back the fruiting mother branches at 10 cm~20 cm to promote branching and the setting of autumn fruit.