29. Apical Dominance
• Apical dominance is a tree’s response to
a pruning cut
• All pruning cuts cause the same
reaction in a tree
• Proper pruning uses apical dominance
to shape trees
31. Size control using rootstocks
• Standard—25 ft and up
• Semi-Dwarf or half-standard
– 8 to18 ft apples, pears
– 15 to 20+ ft stone fruits (cherries, plums, etc
• Genetic Dwarf/Miniatures—5-8 ft
• Varietal vigor
59. Training an Open Center Tree
• Stone fruits, esp. peaches, nectarines
• Lowest limb 12-18 inches
• 3-5 limbs at low angle form a vase
shape
• Allows sunlight needed to ripen fruit
68. Winter vs. Summer Pruning
• Winter (Dormant) Pruning
– Promotes vegetative growth in the spring
– Use to train young trees
• (Late) Summer and Fall pruning
– Reduces food storage in roots and hence
reduces tree growth in spring
– Use on older, overgrown trees to open and
rejuvenate the tree.
– Use to establish fruiting spurs
71. Rejuvenating Neglected Trees
• Always
– Remove dead, diseased, and damaged
wood
– Remove crossing/rubbing branches
– Remove water sprouts at limb junction
– Remove suckers at the root junction
• Never
– Remove more than 20% green wood each
year
– Never fertilize
118. Summary
• Apical Dominance
• Cut to a branch or bud
• Choose bud/growth direction
• Training vs. Pruning
• References, Google It!
• Buy a Pruning Book and Use It!
Editor's Notes
Make cuts on branch bard ridge so collar heals over itself. Do not paint or seal cuts. Make proper top cuts. Do not top trees ; control height with variety and rootstocks. Control growth direction; generally, prune to downward facing buds for horizontal limb growth. Prune to buds or branches. Do not leave stubs. Prune roots as you would and should a limb or branch.
Dormant Pruning: Do in Jan/Feb apples; at pink tip for stone fruits. Prune to a bud going in the direction you want the limb to go.