Pruning columnar apple trees: how to form, timing and diagram with photo

Pruning of columnar apple trees is carried out according to a certain scheme, observing the necessary shape of the crown. The procedure can be successfully carried out by gardeners in any season. The main thing is to prepare the necessary tools, take into account the recommendations of experienced gardeners and follow the technology. Pruning improves the quality of the crop and increases its quantity.

Description and characteristics of the variety

Often in the gardens, columnar varieties of apple trees began to be found. They take up little space and decorate the site. A characteristic feature is the presence of one trunk, from which short, thick shoots extend.The fruits are formed both on the side branches and on the central trunk.

Distinctive features of columnar apple trees:

• Most trees grow no more than 3 meters in height, but there are specimens that grow up to 5 meters.
• Almost all varieties of apple trees do not tolerate cold winters. If the crown kidney is damaged, then the development of the culture changes. The shape of the crown and the taste of the fruit are changing.
• The compactness of the culture allows it to be planted in a plot where there is little space.
• Fructification begins two years after planting.
• The roots are close to the ground.
• High yield.

Caring for columnar apple trees is simple, but it also has its own distinctive features:

• The root system of columnar apple trees spreads close to the ground, so frequent watering is required;
• high demands on top dressing;
• it is impossible to loosen and weed the soil around the trunk;
• It is recommended to plant a lawn near the trunk, which will retain moisture and heat.

The disadvantage of a columnar culture is a relatively short growing season. After 12 years, it ceases to bear fruit.

Why you need to trim

To understand whether it is necessary to prune a columnar apple tree, it is important to understand the growth characteristics of this crop.

The main part of the columnar apple tree is the bud tip. If it is not frozen and damaged, then the shoots of the tree will grow short and the tree will look compact. There is no need for trimming.

The reason for the loss of the kidneys are frosts, improper fertilization. Sometimes gardeners mistakenly cut off the top themselves. In this case, the rapid growth of side shoots begins, and in order to save the crop, pruning is carried out.

The formation procedure has many positive aspects:

• forming the correct shape of the apple tree;
• eliminates the possibility of tangling branches;
• young branches grow well and develop;
• fruit crop is rejuvenated;
• increased yield and improved fruit quality;
• improves the appearance of culture.

For all these points to be realized, it is necessary to trim correctly.

In addition to proper formation, care consists in regular watering, timely fertilization and treatment from pests and diseases.

When to start pruning an apple tree

The terms for each variety of apple trees are individual. For early summer varieties, the autumn months are considered the recommended dates. Apple trees with medium ripening are recommended to be pruned in winter. Late varieties are best formed in the spring.

You need to form the crown correctly. Usually in each season, the procedure is carried out with one specific purpose:

1. The main pruning is done during the winter months. The best time for the procedure is the end of winter.
2. Spring pruning is carried out to determine the main trunk. The procedure is best done after flowering.
3. Unnecessary branches are removed during the summer months.
4. In the autumn period, thickened sections of the crown are thinned out, removing strong vertical branches.

Pruning is carried out at any time of the year, starting from the second year after planting the seedling.

What tools will you need

The formation of a columnar apple tree is carried out with well-sharpened garden tools. To trim the crown, you need to prepare a disinfectant:

• use a sharp knife to remove very thin branches and burrs;
• thin branches are removed with secateurs;
• to remove the top branches you will need a long-handled pruner;
• stairs.

The place of the cut is immediately treated with disinfectants that are applied with a brush. Suitable garden pitch, garden acrylic paint, Bordeaux liquid. Solutions are made on the basis of components such as copper sulfate, potassium permanganate.

Schemes and forms of correct trimming

Pruning a pyramidal apple tree is not carried out much and does not involve affecting the main shoot. Lateral horizontal and vertical branches should be formed. It is on them that the harvest ripens.

Pruning of branches is carried out in two directions:

• cut off part of the shoot;
• in the second option, the branch is cut off completely.

The vertical branch is growing stronger and faster. Horizontal shoots grow more slowly, but they have more flower buds, this feature was the basis of the pruning procedure.

To form a beautiful crown and increase yields, you will need to wait 5 years. The general scheme for pruning a tree, which will be possible for beginner gardeners, involves the following steps:

• some time after planting, the trunk is shortened and side shoots are removed, it is better to work in early spring before the juices begin to move (in the first year of growth, it is better to cut all side shoots so that two buds remain on each);
• next year, the central trunk is not touched, and the side shoots are shortened to a length of 28 cm (the upper shoot must be left to serve as a continuation of the main trunk);

• after another year, all weakened branches are cut off, and those that remain are shortened to 38 cm;
• for the fourth year, only weakened, damaged and dry branches should be removed;
• in the fifth year, it is recommended to remove the top to limit growth (at this point, the height of the apple tree will be about 3 meters).

Pruning is no longer necessary. Only dry, diseased branches are removed.

Cut options

In the process of formation, either side branches or the top are cut off. Lateral branches are best cut in summer or spring. The procedure involves several steps:

• A year after planting, you need to cut off all the shoots, except for the top, leaving two buds each.
• After a year, new shoots appear from the abandoned buds. The branch that will grow vertically is cut again. And again, only two kidneys are left. The other branch, which grows more horizontally, is left to form the crop.
• The next season, the horizontal branch from which the crop was harvested is completely removed.
• In the sixth year, the entire fruit branch is completely removed, as by this time it has exhausted all its resources.

Pruning of the crown shoot is carried out when it is frozen. The main task is to determine the strongest shoot that grows upright. It is he who will become a continuation of the main trunk. The remaining shoots are removed according to the standard scheme.

By winter, a tree with cut branches must be insulated using covering material.

Procedure technique

The weak point of the columnar apple tree is the top. For normal development, it is important to protect the apical kidney from adverse factors. During the spring formation period, it is important to determine the strongest shoot, which is left for further development, and all the rest are removed.

To carry out the procedure correctly, it is important to follow the following recommendations:

• remove only young shoots that are no more than a year old;
• the cut is made in the direction from the base of the branch to the top;
• the cut is made 12 mm above the kidney;
• the incision is made neatly and evenly, trying not to damage the bark.

You need to cut the branches carefully, trying not to damage the bark. Do not cut too deep.

Winter apple pruning

In winter, when there are no leaves on the tree, pruning is easier. All areas are visible, besides, you can be sure that the tree is at rest. The main purpose of winter pruning is to bring the lower branches to the top half of the tree. During winter formation, dry, weak and damaged branches are cut at the same time, and a fruiting zone is also formed.

The columnar apple tree has no permanent branches. Since their growth is cylindrical, the conditions for development are not very favorable for the lower branches. They receive little light, and they do not bear fruit. It is better to prune the shoots on days when the air temperature does not drop below -10 degrees.

Spring

To activate the growth of the tree and the formation of the crown, spring pruning is carried out. The best period is the middle or last days of March. It is important to carry out the procedure before the juice begins to move. Proper pruning involves leaving 4-5 buds on each branch.

After winter, the tips of the branches that have frozen are also removed. Pruning allows you to rejuvenate the tree and increase resistance to adverse factors.

Summer

In the summer months, remove unnecessary shoots with leaves that grow from the main trunk. They absorb nutrients and moisture, preventing branches with fruits from developing.

The branches of the columnar apple tree are easily removed by plucking. Small shoots should be removed with extreme caution, as the tree tolerates one large wound better than several small ones.

Autumn

Autumn pruning is carried out after the cessation of the movement of juice. The procedure is started only after the fall of all the leaves from the tree. First, dry and damaged branches are removed, then shoots that are twisted are removed. The procedure will make it easier to transfer the winter culture.

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