5. Prune Your Trees
Success with bare-root transplanting of all woody plants depends on
this one familiar chore. Autumn transplants are not pruned until the
following spring, but this is the first chore at the beginning of the
growing season after a woody plant has been moved bare-root.
Top growth should be pruned back about one-third. This restores a
reasonable balance of leaf surface to the moisture-adsorbing capacity of
the root system that was drastically reduced when the plant was dug in
the nursery. This severe pruning invariably results in vigorous regrowth
sooner than attempting to retain the plant as it comes - from the
nursery.
This pruning, with a soil kept cool and moist by mulching, assures
successful bare-root transplanting. If this entire 5-point program is
followed, spring planting will be as successful as autumn transplanting
in mild climates. This same program also gives the best insurance for
successful autumn planting where winters are harsh and unpredictable.
How to prune your tree
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Pruning in year 1
A one year old tree should be pruned immediately after
planting - cut off the top half of the trunk with a sharp pair
of secateurs.
Before cutting, make sure that the bottom half contains at least
four buds or formed branches. If not, make the cut higher, above
the fourth bud. |
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Pruning in year 2
The pink coloured parts of the tree show growth in the
previous year, this should not be pruned. The black coloured
side shoots should all be pruned by a third - see the thick
black lines. Click here for a picture of an un-pruned and pruned
2 year old tree.
When pruning, cut just above an outward facing bud - this bud
will then produce a side shoot in the spring which will grow
away from the centre of the tree. |
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Pruning in year 3
Prune in Spring. Pruning is similar to the
two-year old tree - the pink coloured parts of the tree show
growth in the previous year, this should not be pruned. The
black coloured side shoots should all be pruned by a third.
Always prune to just above an outward facing bud. |
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Pruning in year 5
Prune in Spring. Pruning is similar to
the three-year old tree - the pink coloured parts of the tree
show growth in the previous year, this should not be pruned
unless it is diseased. The black coloured side shoots should all
be pruned by a third.
Always prune to just above an outward facing bud. |
Pruning in year 5
A five year old tree can be considered mature and the basic shape
will have been established. Pruning should consist of keeping the centre
of the tree relatively clear of growth, removing all weak or diseased
growth and keeping the tree within the space available. Remember that
fruit will grow on wood produced the previous year, so always leave a
good proportion (say 50%) of the previous year's growth.
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