Basic rules of fruit tree pruning<\/p> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div><\/p>\n\n
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- Continuously follow the latest technological knowledge, which globally aims to achieve a concept of fruit cultivation that allows for easily reachable small trees (using less vigorous apple rootstocks like M-9 and M-27) or even large trees (for use with self-propelled platforms), where minimal manual labor is required (apart from highly productive harvesting of 2,000 kg or more per picker in 8 hours), which must be as straightforward as possible to be carried out by cheaper and less skilled labor.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pinova.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/1.png\")
vocarstvo.org<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n Fruit trees grafted onto dwarf, less vigorous rootstocks form smaller trees that are simpler to cultivate, prune, and manage with other pomotechnical operations.<\/p>\n
![\"Objava](\"https:\/\/pinova.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Test2PM-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/a>\n\n2. Establish a minimally standardized monitoring system to track essential data for defining pruning methods and timing, operational techniques and intensity of pruning, and other planned pomotechnical and agrotechnical measures in the new production year. These data include: \nGrowth vigor and health status of trees \nBud development and differentiation \nPest and disease incidence \nFruit set and development \nWeather conditions affecting growth and fruiting \nPrevious year’s yield and fruit quality<\/p>\n\n
Last year’s yield realization per variety, including the fruit load per tree, fruit quality ratio, average fruit weight, and average dry matter content in the fruit. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n<\/p>\n\n
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- Harvest start and end dates with a meteorological analysis of vegetative temperature thresholds from the last day of harvest to the end of the growing season.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
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- Post-harvest technology, foliar nutrition strategies, potential use of growth regulators, or autumn pruning techniques.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
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- Calculate the average trunk diameter at 20 cm height from the grafting point, based on the average of at least 20 measurements per variety.
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- Quick own analyses or standardized triennial pedological analyses from November to February on N min<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Regularly updated climatological data for absolute minimum temperatures, especially for stone fruit.<\/p>\n\n
3. Education, training, and operational organization of pruning are implemented based on the analysis of the above-mentioned data, ensuring a safe, consistent, and high-quality yield, rather than anxiety due to weather and particularly inadequate technological decisions in the past year, which typically increase the risk of alternate bearing or excessive fruit load. \n \n \n \n \n \n<\/p>\n\n
4. Therefore, pruning fruit trees or the entire set of pomotechnical operations are no longer just old-fashioned knowledge involving ladders, shears, and a pruning saw. They now represent a global approach with standardized procedures aimed at achieving a clearly and simply defined goal: consistently obtaining a high-quality fruit yield each year at the lowest possible production cost (e.g., apples at 0.7 to 0.9 HRK per kg). \n \n \n \n \n \n<\/p>\n\n
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\n\n\n\n\u00a0<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n\n\n\n\n\n\nEach of the above-mentioned segments will be gradually addressed as we gain a deeper understanding of pruning physiology, implementing logically derived practical or operational pruning practices based on this knowledge.<\/p> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div><\/p>\n\n
\n\n\n\n\u00a0<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n\n\n\n\n\n\n-
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- Growth and fruitfulness are essential opposites to understand the logic of fruit tree pomotechnics.<\/strong><\/li>
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pinova.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Untitled.png\")
<\/figure>\n\nA = Youth (1-3 years), vigorous growth, low fruitfulness, minimal pruning
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- The basic laws of understanding growth and fruitfulness are presented in eleven accompanying sketches and texts.<\/strong><\/li>
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pinova.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/3.png\")
<\/figure>\n\nSimplified basic laws of growth and fruitfulness in three positions of a fruit branch.<\/p>\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pinova.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/4.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pinova.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/5.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u00a0<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n\n\n\n\n\n\n-
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- Rule<\/strong>: Branches growing vertically or at sharper angles exhibit more vigor compared to branches with wider angles.<\/li>
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- Rule<\/strong>: Two branches of equal thickness at the same height and angle of growth grow equally vigorously.<\/li>
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pinova.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/6.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pinova.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/7.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u00a0<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n\n\n\n\n\n\n-
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- Rule:<\/strong> Between two branches at different heights, the branch at the higher position always grows more vigorously.<\/li>
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\n<\/div><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u00a0<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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- Rule<\/strong>: Between two branches of different diameters at the same height, the branch with the larger diameter grows more vigorously.<\/li>
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pinova.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/8.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pinova.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/9.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u00a0<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n\n\n\n\n\n\n-
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- Rule<\/strong>: A branch with more secondary branches exhibits greater vigor.<\/li>
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- Rule<\/strong>: Branches closer to the conductor (main trunk or scaffold branch) exhibit more vigorous growth than branches farther away.<\/li>
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pinova.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/10.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pinova.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/11.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n7. Rule:<\/strong> Branches with a wider angle towards the conductor (main trunk or scaffold branch) grow less vigorously than those with a sharper angle.<\/p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n8 Rule<\/strong>: Vegetative bud break on a one-year-old shoot in a vertical position is always stronger at the top and weaker towards the base of the shoot, where there are fruit buds on medium or short fruiting wood, while fruit buds at the top of such shoots are rarer.<\/p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pinova.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/12.png\")
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u00a0<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n\n\n\n\n\n\n-
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- Rule<\/strong>: The bud break of vegetative buds on a one-year-old shoot at a 45-degree angle is more uniform compared to a vertical position. It tends to form non-fruitful or partially fruitful shoots at the top and fruit buds at the base of the shoot on medium or short fruiting wood.<\/li>
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10. Rule<\/strong>: The awakening of vegetative buds depends on their position on a one-year-old shoot in a horizontal position where optimal coverage of the shoot with fruiting buds is expressed on short fruiting wood along almost the entire length of the shoot.<\/p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pinova.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/14.png\")
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u00a0<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n\n\n\n\n\n\n-
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- Rule<\/strong>: Bud break of vegetative buds depends on their position on a one-year-old bent shoot in a gentle curve where the shoot is almost entirely covered with fruit buds on short fruiting wood, except on gentle curves where it is covered with medium or long fruiting wood.<\/li>
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12 Rule:<\/strong> Bud break of vegetative buds depends on their position on a one-year-old bent shoot in a sharp curve where there is significant or even excessive growth of short fruiting wood along the entire length except at the top of the shoot, where typically a longer non-fruiting or replacement shoot grows.<\/p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Objava](\"https:\/\/pinova.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/TEST2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/a>\n\nKnowledge of these rules leads to the following conclusions, which every fruit tree pruner must understand to successfully communicate with the tree and achieve optimal production results together: \n \nVertical or steeply angled branches are more vigorous. \nTwo branches of equal thickness at the same height and angle grow equally vigorously. \nBranches at higher positions grow more vigorously. \nBranches with larger diameters at the same height grow more vigorously. \nBranches with more secondary branches exhibit greater vigor. \nBranches closer to the main trunk or scaffold branch grow more vigorously. \nBranches with wider angles towards the main trunk grow less vigorously.<\/p>\n\n
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- As fruit trees grow more, pruning should be reduced or even omitted, potentially supplemented by techniques such as root pruning or the use of growth retardants (known as growth regulators). In Croatia, the retardant Regalis is registered, which also has positive effects on reducing infection with Erwinia amylovora bacteria.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The most effective growth control is achieved by using dwarfing rootstocks, grafting height, and planting trees shallower, all expertly designed when establishing orchards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The younger and more juvenile the fruit tree, the greater its growth potential; conversely, as the tree ages, its growth potential diminishes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Early pruning increases growth potential, while later pruning diminishes it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A low fruiting potential increases the growth potential of fruit trees, while moderate to high fruiting potential (with appropriately retained fruit buds) reduces growth potential.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- To correct reduced growth potential, we decrease it with agrotechnical measures (fertilization, irrigation, and inter-row and in-row cultivation), intensive and early pruning, as well as chemical and timely manual fruit thinning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- To correct increased growth potential, we reduce it with minimal and later pruning, late summer pruning, use of growth retardants, root pruning, and agrotechnical measures such as reduced or omitted fertilization, minimal irrigation, narrower herbicide strips, and less frequent inter-row cultivation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
From all the mentioned points, it globally follows that:<\/p>\n\n
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- from all the above, it globally follows that we prune young, low-yielding trees, trees with high growth potential, or trees with low fruiting potential late and minimally but \n \n \n \n \n \n \n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- for older fruit trees with reduced or minimal growth potential but increased fruiting potential, we prune them appropriately earlier, moderately, or more intensively.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Young trees, trees with high growth potential, or trees with low fruiting potential are pruned late and minimally. Older fruit trees with reduced or minimal growth potential but increased fruiting potential are pruned appropriately earlier, moderately, or more intensively.<\/p>\n\n
\n\n\n\n\u00a0<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n\n\n\n\n\n\nDifferentiation or initiation of floral buds in fruit trees<\/strong><\/p> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div> \n<\/div><\/p>\n\n
- Rule<\/strong>: Bud break of vegetative buds depends on their position on a one-year-old bent shoot in a gentle curve where the shoot is almost entirely covered with fruit buds on short fruiting wood, except on gentle curves where it is covered with medium or long fruiting wood.<\/li>
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\n<\/div>
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\n<\/div>
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\n<\/div><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
- Rule<\/strong>: The bud break of vegetative buds on a one-year-old shoot at a 45-degree angle is more uniform compared to a vertical position. It tends to form non-fruitful or partially fruitful shoots at the top and fruit buds at the base of the shoot on medium or short fruiting wood.<\/li>
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\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
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\n<\/div><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
- Rule<\/strong>: Branches closer to the conductor (main trunk or scaffold branch) exhibit more vigorous growth than branches farther away.<\/li>
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\n<\/div><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
- Rule<\/strong>: A branch with more secondary branches exhibits greater vigor.<\/li>
\n<\/ol>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
- Rule<\/strong>: Between two branches of different diameters at the same height, the branch with the larger diameter grows more vigorously.<\/li>
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\n<\/div>
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\n<\/div><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
- Rule:<\/strong> Between two branches at different heights, the branch at the higher position always grows more vigorously.<\/li>
\n<\/ol>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
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\n<\/div><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
- Rule<\/strong>: Two branches of equal thickness at the same height and angle of growth grow equally vigorously.<\/li>
\n<\/ol>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
- Rule<\/strong>: Branches growing vertically or at sharper angles exhibit more vigor compared to branches with wider angles.<\/li>
\n<\/ol>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
- The basic laws of understanding growth and fruitfulness are presented in eleven accompanying sketches and texts.<\/strong><\/li>
\n<\/ol>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div><\/p>\n\n
- Growth and fruitfulness are essential opposites to understand the logic of fruit tree pomotechnics.<\/strong><\/li>
\n<\/ol>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div>
\n<\/div><\/p>\n\n
- Quick own analyses or standardized triennial pedological analyses from November to February on N min<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
- Calculate the average trunk diameter at 20 cm height from the grafting point, based on the average of at least 20 measurements per variety.
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\n
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\n
\n
\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
- Post-harvest technology, foliar nutrition strategies, potential use of growth regulators, or autumn pruning techniques.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
- Harvest start and end dates with a meteorological analysis of vegetative temperature thresholds from the last day of harvest to the end of the growing season.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n