Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
trunk, then prune back the central leader to just above the
topmost selected branch. These selected branches will be the
main scaffolds of the tree, referring to their structural
importance. Stone fruit branches are strongest when they
leave the trunk at an angle between 60 and 90 degrees, so
now is the time to establish those angles and the direction of
growth using a combination of ropes and wooden spacers
inserted between the branch and the trunk.
Stone fruits should not be pruned in winter because of
susceptibility to winter injury and because of a disease called
cytospora canker. Rather, they should be pruned between the
time they bloom and the first week after the flower petals
have fallen.
The first pruning after planting should occur just after
blooming in the early spring of the next year. At that time,
any branches that are broken and diseased should be removed,
and the main scaffolds should be cut back half their length to
an outward facing bud. Any vertically growing shoots should
likewise be removed, and spacers or ties for maintaining
branch angles should be checked and adjusted as necessary.
The second pruning after planting will occur at the same time
the next year. By this time, the main scaffold branches will be
developing new branches on them. Select three or four
sublimbs on each main scaffold to be preserved. These should
be on opposite sides of the scaffolds, not growing straight up
or bending down, and be at least 18 inches away from the
main trunk. The main scaffold branches should then be cut
back by 1/3 to an outward-facing bud, and all limbs but the
selected sublimbs should be cut back to the branch or to the
trunk as appropriate.
