Annual pruning methods and technical key points for mature tea plants

In order to maintain the vigorous growth of tea plants, preserve a good population structure of the canopy over the long term, facilitate operation and management, and extend the high-yield years of tea plants, in addition to strengthening fertilizer and cultivation management, regulation must also be carried out through annual pruning.

The main purposes are to level the canopy surface, make the sprouting positions relatively uniform, regulate the number and weight of buds, control tree height, stimulate the sprouting of the next round of tea, and improve the quality of fresh leaves. The depth of light pruning should be determined according to tea variety, tree age, climatic conditions, tea garden management level, and tree vigor. Pruning should be shallow for strong and healthy tree vigor; simply cutting off 3 to 5 cm is sufficient. Pruning should be slightly heavier for weaker tree vigor, and cutting off 5 to 10 cm is appropriate. Relatively heavy pruning can significantly increase the weight of single buds, but the density of buds decreases; lighter pruning is more favorable for increasing sprouting density. During pruning, it is necessary to grasp this flexibly according to the specific conditions of the tea garden. Light pruning can be carried out every year in late autumn and early winter (November to December), or once every other year. For example, in high-cold mountainous areas, in order to promote early spring tea and pick more spring tea, light pruning is best delayed until late spring and early summer (late May). For pruned tea plants, an arc shape is preferable, as it can increase the sprouting surface and plucking surface. The pruning tools all use hedge shears (produced in Hangzhou and Sichuan); where conditions permit, electric pruning machines can also be used (Japanese parts, assembled in Hangzhou).