This document discusses training and pruning methods for apple trees. It describes the objectives of training as developing a framework that displays the tree canopy and supports heavy crop loads. Pruning removes portions of the tree to correct structure and improve airflow. Two main training systems are described: open center and modified central leader. Dormant pruning is done in winter while summer pruning removes upright shoots. Techniques like spreading, tying and weighting are used to position limbs at a 45-60 degree angle for optimal fruit production. The document provides details on various pruning and training methods used for different apple tree planting densities and forms.

1. ANDREW L MYRTHONG
2014-12-126
Training and Pruning in
Apple

2. Introduction
 Apple is the most important temperate fruit crop
 They can also be a pleasing addition to the landscape
 They require an annual training and pruning in order to get an
attractive and productive tree
 Proper training and pruning are a valuable part of an effective pest
management
 Training and pruning cannot entirely compensate for poor
horticultural factors such as poorly matched scions and rootstocks

3. Training
 Refers to the development of the structural framework of the trees
 This activity is largely confined to the nonbearing years
 While some training may be necessary after the tree comes into
production
Objective of the training program is :
 To develop a proper framework that effectively displays a large surface
area of the tree canopy to full sunlight and support heavy crop loads
 It is more efficient to develop tree growth with training than to correct it
with pruning

4. Pruning
 It is the removal of a portion of a tree
 It is used to correct or maintain the tree structure
 Pruning opens up the canopy and improves air flow
and maximise light penetration

5.  Pruning is most often accomplished during the winter,
commonly referred to as dormant pruning
 Training includes summer training and summer
pruning as well as dormant pruning
 The goal of tree training is to direct tree growth and to
minimize pruning and removing a portion of the tree,
although dormant pruning is always going to be needed

6. Dormant Pruning vs. Summer Pruning
 Dormant pruning is an invigorating process
 Dormant pruning is limited to cuts that remove dead, diseased and damaged
wood and those that develop the tree’s desired shape
 Summer pruning is limited to removal of upright growing shoots and
vigorously growing current season’s shoot
 Dormant pruning should begin as late in the winter as possible to avoid
winter injury
 Summer pruning done when the buds start growing after the vegetative
shoots are several inches long
 Older trees are pruned first as the younger ones are more prone to winter
injury

7. Training systems
Two main training systems are:
 Open centre system
 Modified central leader system

8. Modified central leader
 Plants are headed back 50-60cm above the ground level
 1st year: 2-3 well spaced scaffold limbs are selected
 The selected primary scaffolds are headed back to one-fourth to one-fifth of
their growth during summer
 Second year dormant pruning: central leader and the 10 scaffolds are headed
back similar to first dormant pruning
 More scaffold branches are retained at a vertical distance of 45-75cm
 A total of 5-7 secondary branches per tree usually two on each primary
scaffold are retained
 The primary scaffold should have the crotch angle of 450

11. Open centre system
 Also known as vase shaped training system
 The center of the tree is kept free of large branches and various
upright growing shoots
 Head back the plant 60-70cm above the ground level
 Retain 3-4 shoots that will become the primary scaffold
branches
 Pinched back all other shoots
 These branches should be distributed evenly around the trunk
and spaced several inches apart vertically

12.  Head back the primary scaffolds in late may or early
june to promote secondary branches and side shoots
 Remove unwanted branches but leave the lateral shoot
for next year’s fruit production
 2-3 secondary branch are allowed per primary scaffold
 Avoid upright as well as flat or horizontal limbs
 Head the secondary branches to 60-70 cm to develop
the tertiary branches

15. Limb positioning
 Determines whether the branches will
produce primarily fruit or vegetation
 Branches that grow straight up produce more vegetative growth
 Branches that grow straight out are fruitful but with very little
vegetative growth
 A crotch angle of 45-600 is preferred
 Branches having a wide angle between the limb and the trunk are
more strong that narrow angle crotches

16. Figures depicting wide crotch angles and narrow crotch angles

17. Limb positioning techniques
1. Spreading:
 This technique uses objects such as toothpicks,
clothespin, or short sticks to push branches to a
horizontal position
 For very young trees- toothpicks or spring type
clothespin is preferred
 For older branches and trees- wooden, metal or plastic
spreaders may be used

18. Toothpicks and
clothespin
Wooden spreaders

19. 2. Tying:
 Many techniques and numerous materials can be used to tie branches
 Tie the branch in place using twine, string, fibreglass tape, long rubber band
or other material
 Tying can also be used to support weak branches that are unable to support
the weight of the developing fruit
3. Weighting:
 Weights are used to pull limbs into place
 Any heavy material can serve as weight
 The weights maybe varied using smaller or bigger cups or by filling the cups with
different amount of concrete
 Position of the limb is adjusted by location of the weight on the limb

20. Methods of tying Positioning weight on
branch

21. Pruning
 Pruning is done mainly during the dormant period
 Pruning early in the winter, before maximum hardiness has
developed, greatly increases susceptibility to low temperature injury
 Low-temperature injury at pruning cuts is often the forerunner of
various cankers and wood rot diseases
 Sometimes unfavorable weather significantly delays pruning, and
growth starts before it is completed
 In orchards with a black rot problem, pruning after growth starts
may increase the spread of this disease
 Mid January to February is the best time

22. Decide how much to prune

23. Get the right shape

24. Choose your scaffold branches

25. Cut off dead wood

26. Remove suckers

27. Cut off downward growing branches

28. Remove criss cross branches

29. Prune down whorls

30. Prune the remaining branches

31. Training for high density planting
 Slender spindle type
 Spindle bush type
 Vertical axis
 Dwarf pyramid

32. Slender spindle type
Several components must be integrated to ensure success
 First, the tree must have a permanent support system the height of
the entire tree to promote rapid tree growth and support the tree
with heavy crop loads
 A common support is a 10-ft-long piece of conduit or galvanized pipe
 Second, the trees must receive adequate, uniform moisture during
the growing season to maintain tree growth, and irrigation is highly
recommended as an insurance against drought
 Third, all weed competition in the tree row should be eliminated
with herbicides to at least the dripline on each side of the tree.

33.  This is a modified miniature central leader tree with many more limbs per tree
 The trunk is maintained to height of 8-10ft. Density 2,000 to 5,000 trees/ha. at 3-
3.5m x 1-1.5m
 Branching begins at approximately 24 to 32 inches above the soil surface
 Initially all the laterals are retained to optimise early production
 3rd or 5th year onwards branches are thinned out to two permanent whorls
 All branches above the 2nd whorl are temporary and renewed after every 2-4 years

34. Apple trees trained to a slender spindle system

35. Spindle bush system
 Suitable for medium-to-medium high density planting with
tree height varying from to 2 to 3 meters in height and spread
 Central leader training method is used to develop a cone
shaped tree supported by a post or wire support system
 2,000 trees/ha at 2-3m in height and 3-4m x 1-2m apart
 First two to three seasons following planting are the
important time for establishing a balanced framework

36.  First permanent scaffold is maintain 45cm above the ground
level
 The 4 laterals should be evenly spaced and not more than 50%
of the leader’s diameter
 Prevent limbs from developing opposite each other on the
trunk
 Pinch out competing shoots emerging just below the heading
cut
 Leader dominance is important as weak leader will reduce the
tree canopy

37. Vertical axis system
 The trees are trained in a narrow
pyramidal shape with a dominant
central leader to maximise light
penetration
 The leader is trained to grow to
10ft height
 Few pruning cuts are made in the
initial three years
 Thereafter laterals are periodically
renewed by cutting into 2 year old
or older growth
 Trees are supported by a trellis

38.  Four laterals are spread evenly around the leader
 If only two laterals are present head them back to the trunk
followed by heading back the leader in order to promote
laterals
 When the new central has grown about 18 inches, remove the
shoots near the tip and leave only the lower branches to serve
as primary scaffolds
 Maintain pyramidal shape by removing all competing vigorous
shoots
 1,000 to 2,500 trees/ha at a spacing of 4-5m x 1-2m

39. Figure: (A) An ideal tree for planting in a vertical
axis system. (B) Branches at a narrow angle to the
central axis are removed and the leader is cut back
on poorly branched trees at planting
Figure. (A) Limbs are spread in early
July of the first growing season to a
60 degree angle from the trunk
(B)clothespin used to spread the
limbs

40. Figure: In the dormant season after the third year, prune the
lower branches of adjacent trees that have grown together

41. Figure 6. (A) To limit the height of the tree, the central leader can be bent over and
tied to the post, or (B) cut back to a less vigorous lateral branch to form a new
leader.

42. A mature tree that does not have a narrow pyramidal form. The limbs can
be cut back to a less vigorous lateral to develop the vertical axis form

43. Other training techniques

44. Cordons
 Cordon fruit trees are simply trees
grown as a single stem
 The fruits are produced on short laterals
immediately off the central stem
 Normally grown at a 45-degree angle for
easy picking
 Tie a tall bamboo cane into the wire
supports where each tree's stem will
eventually grow, angling the cane as
appropriate

45.  During summer, sideshoots emerging from the main stem
are cut back to three leaves
 Shoots produced from the laterals are cut back to one leaf
 Pruning is often carried out with fruits still on the tree, and
will force the tree to concentrate on producing flower buds
the following spring
 Winter pruning when the tree is dormant involves thinning
out congested laterals and cutting out old ones that are
failing to produce fruit

47. Dwarf pyramid, fans or palmettes
 Apple trees trained to a small height(5ft) on wires
 Trees can be shaped as a pyramid or triangle,
 Fan–usually with two main leaders radiating from a
short trunk with sublaterals
 Palmettes - a cross between an espalier and a fan with a
central leader and arms radiating at angles rather than
horizontally–shaped similar to an open palm
 These trees require less maintenance

48. Dwarf pyramid Palmette

49. Conclusion
 Proper training and pruning of trees is a major component of
a profitable apple orchard operation
 Each tree is an individual and should be treated accordingly
 Properly trained and pruned trees will yield high-quality fruit
much sooner and live significantly longer
 In order to maintain a balance between vegetative growth and
reproductive growth efficient training and pruning is
therefore necessary which will result in “calm trees” that
produce heavy annual crops and requires light annual pruning

50. Thankyou…