Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
size. The growth produced after winter
pruning tends to be vigorous and vegetative
wood rather than wood that will carry
f flowers and fruit.
WHENTOPRUNE?
• Winter pruning stimulates vegetative growth
• Pruning wounds don't heal as well in winter
• Summer pruning limits growth
• Summer pruning makes trees easier to net
• Summer pruning allows improved air
circulation around the fruit
• Summer pruning can maximise fruiting
wood
Pruning when your plant is dormant also
means that pruning wounds will not heal as
quickly as they would if it was in vigorous
growth. As all deciduous trees are in effect
in hibernation in winter, expending only
enough energy for the tree to continue
respiring, there is not the quick response
healing that would be expected when it is
actively growing. Pruning wounds are the
obvious starting point for disease to enter
your plant, and winter pruning creates
wounds when fungal spores are more
prevalent. Climate also plays a part in the
timing of winter pruning. Young trees are
more susceptible to damage in hard
winters. Leave pruning to late winter,
early spring or after the danger of frost has
passed to minimise damage in frosty areas.
When the tree is actively growing healing
will be quick.
As the tree is actively growing, pruning
wounds will heal faster, and on dry, clear
days, fungal spores will find it more difficult
to enter the plant.
It is also convenient for netting fruit trees.
Pruning just before netting means there is
not so much tree to cover, the net fits more
snugly and air circulation is increased. This
means that as cool autumn nights arrive with
warm days, there is less likelihood of your
fruit getting fungal infections.
In cooler areas, summer pruning also opens
up the tree canopy to the sunlight so that
fruit will ripen more evenly. In areas with
hot summers, however, don't remove so
much growth that it exposes the fruit to
sunburn damage.
Summerpruning
In many landscapes, it is the restriction
of overall plant size that is desirable and
therefore summer pruning is most
effective. By removing vigorous spring
growth in summer, the pruner is also
removing those vital food-producing
organs - the leaves. With less food
production, plant growth is restricted,
and the tree's food reserves will come into
balance at the height and width that is set
in summer.
Once your tree is established, getting into the
habit of summer pruning is generally best for
both pruner and plant. Growth is more easily
managed and venturing out on a cold winter's
day need only be for removing any dead
wood, or removing what has been missed in
the summer.
