How to prune prickly ash trees in summer for the best results
Prickly ash (Zanthoxylum bungeanum) is grown throughout China. It is both a vegetable and a medicinal herb, and it is very popular in China. When growing prickly ash trees, we must pay attention to doing the pruning work well. We also need to adjust the pruning method according to the changes of the seasons. Only by doing the pruning work well can we ensure the yield and quality of prickly ash. So how should prickly ash trees be pruned in summer? Below, the editor will give you a brief introduction. Let's take a look!
1. Light pinching
Pinching is the main pruning method for prickly ash trees in summer. When pinching, because of the degree of pinching, it is divided into light pinching and heavy pinching. Light pinching is generally done around June. At this time, the tender shoots at the top of the prickly ash branches should be removed, with the removed length kept at about 5 cm. Light pinching is mainly for vigorous fruiting trees, to avoid excessive vegetative growth from overly strong nutrition and to promote the formation of flower buds on the prickly ash tree. After pinching, the branches will still sprout many times, and pinching must be carried out multiple times to achieve the goal.
2. Heavy pinching
Heavy pinching means pinching down to the mature part of the branch. Usually, a branch length of about 6 leaves should be removed. When carrying out heavy pinching, the main target is young trees, to shape the young trees. After the main branch grows to the target length, in order to promote the sprouting of side branches, heavy pinching can be carried out at the right time. When heavy pinching, attention should also be paid to the growth method of the side branches. Ensure that the growth direction of the second bud below the pinch point is the same as the growth direction of the side branch to be cultivated. However, if the direction of the third bud is close to the direction of the side branch being cultivated, then the third bud should be removed in time.
3. Bending branches
Bending branches means holding the branch with both hands from the base all the way to the middle, so as to change the growth direction of the branch. Bending branches is mainly used to open up the growth angle of the branch, ease the growth vigor of the branch, and speed up the formation of flower buds on the branch. When bending branches, compared with methods such as propping branches and pulling branches, it is relatively easy to carry out, and its pruning effect is also relatively good, and it is not easy to damage the bark. The branch-bending pruning method is mainly suitable for thinner growing branches. If the branch is too thick, then bending cannot achieve a reasonable angle.
4. Retraction pruning
Retraction pruning is a pruning method that cuts perennial branches back to a branching position, also called retraction. Retraction pruning can first reduce the growth advantage at the tip of the branch and change the direction of the extending branch. It improves the permeability inside the tree body and effectively controls the tree crown. The cut of retraction pruning is generally not very large. If the cut branch is relatively thick, then retraction pruning can enhance the growth of the cut branch. When carrying out retraction pruning on the perennial part of the skeletal branches, we should also pay attention to retaining auxiliary nurse stubs well, to avoid the cut branch being weakened and causing the lower branches to become stronger.
The above is a brief introduction to how to prune prickly ash trees in summer. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. I hope it can help everyone!