Detailed Explanation of Pruning and Training Techniques for Kernel Apricot

Apricot trees are extremely sun-loving. In other countries, tree forms with 2 main branches and no lateral branches on the trunk, or with 4 main branches and no lateral branches on the trunk, are often used. In China, the natural round-headed form or the open-center layered form is usually adopted, and a few regions use the natural spindle form. In short, there should not be too many main branches, the spacing between tiers should be large, sunlight should be able to enter the inner canopy, there should be many small branch groups and few large branch groups, and then high yields can be achieved.

1. Pruning of young trees Young trees need to expand their canopy as quickly as possible. When pruning, moderately cut back the leaders of the main branches, remove competing branches, crowded branches and whorled branches, and let the main branch leaders grow outward at an angle as single leaders, and maintain their growth vigor. All other branches should be left unpruned and not cut back. For main branches with unsuitable angles and directions, branch bending can be used to adjust them. Do not easily change the leader or replace a large branch with a small one. Pruning of young trees should be light rather than heavy. The main purpose is to accelerate canopy expansion, train the tree form, moderate tree vigor, and bring the trees into bearing as early as possible.

2. Pruning of trees in the early fruiting stage In the early fruiting stage, continue to use the pruning technique of light heading, leaving many branches unpruned, and removing competing branches, increase the angle of the main branches, and apply summer pruning techniques such as pinching. This further moderates tree vigor, increases the amount of fruit set, and cultivates medium and small fruiting branch groups.

3. Pruning of trees in the full fruiting stage From heavy fruiting until before the tree begins to age, in addition to continuing to cut back the extending leaders, appropriately raising the extending leaders and strengthening their vigor, attention should be turned to the fruiting branch groups. In particular, fruiting branch groups in the inner canopy are prone to die back. When pruning, open up the light path so that sunlight can penetrate into the inner canopy. For small branch groups that have fruited for 3-5 years, cut them back and renew them year by year to keep them vigorous. Remove water sprouts in the inner canopy, control upright competing branches on large branches, and maintain the integrity of the tree form. For long, lightly pruned branches that have fruited for many consecutive years, promptly cut them back to a new leading branch with growth vigor. Keep the new shoot growth of the whole tree at about 30 cm. Cut back long fruiting branches at 1/3 of their length. Medium and short fruiting branch groups should be appropriately cut back to stimulate renewal growth and keep them vigorous.

4. Pruning of aging trees From a clear decline in yield until death, this is called the aging stage. Pruning of such trees should be appropriately heavier. Small branches should be cut back more and left unpruned less. Aging large branches should be cut back and renewed. Generally, cut them back to raise the angle and also cut back the leader branch. Water sprouts and competing branches should be used to restore tree vigor and canopy.

5. Pruning of neglected trees Some apricot trees are never pruned, their tree vigor declines early, the fruiting area moves outward, the inner canopy becomes bare, and the yield is very low. To renovate such trees, first focus on the large branches. According to the current condition of the tree, adhere to the principle of "prune according to the tree, shape according to the branches," gradually remove excessive, crossing, overlapping large branches and upright branches between tiers year by year, increase the distance between tiers, allow sunlight to penetrate into the inner canopy, induce the inner canopy to send out branches, and cultivate fruiting branch groups. At the same time, cut back aging branches, cut back more vegetative branches, and raise drooping leaders. For tall tree tops, adopt the measure of dropping the top, reduce the number of tiers, open skylights, and let in more sunlight. With such renovation continued for 2-3 years, the trees will become high-yielding tree forms.

6. Tree form renovation of wild apricots Wild apricots are mostly bushy shrubs without a trunk, with dense large branches like the Nanking cherry, bearing fruit on the outer periphery, and with very low yield. During renovation, select 1-2 larger branches among them as the trunk, remove the rest from the root crown, and repeatedly remove basal shoots several times over 1-2 years. Cut back the growing branches on the retained large branches to promote growth and shape according to the branches. Because light conditions are improved, the yield will increase greatly.