Pruning of columnar apple trees is carried out according to a certain pattern, observing the required crown shape. 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 carry out the technology. Thanks to pruning, it is possible to improve the quality of the crop and increase its quantity.
Description and characteristics of the variety
They began to meet often in gardens columnar varieties of apple trees. They take up little space and decorate the area. A characteristic feature is the presence of one trunk, from which short, thick shoots extend. Fruits are formed both on the lateral 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 bud is damaged, the development of the culture changes. The shape of the crown and the taste of the fruit change.
- The compactness of the crop allows it to be planted in areas where there is little space.
- Fruiting begins already two years after planting.
- The roots are close to the surface of the earth.
- High yield.
Caring for columnar apple trees is simple, but they also have their own distinctive features:
- the root system of columnar apple trees spreads close to the surface of the earth, so frequent watering is required;
- high demands on fertilizing;
- 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 crop is the relatively short growing season. After 12 years it stops bearing fruit.
Why is pruning necessary?
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 a columnar apple tree is the bud tip. If it is not frozen or damaged, the tree's shoots will grow short and the tree will look compact. There is no need for pruning.
The cause of bud loss is frost and improper application of fertilizers.Sometimes gardeners mistakenly cut off the top themselves. In this case, rapid growth of side shoots begins, and in order to save the crop, pruning is carried out.
The formation procedure has many positive aspects:
- the correct shape of the apple tree is formed;
- eliminates the possibility of tangling branches;
- Young branches grow and develop well;
- the fruit crop is rejuvenated;
- the number of crops increases and the quality of fruits improves;
- the appearance of the crop improves.
In order for all these points to be realized, pruning must be carried out correctly.
In addition to proper formation, care consists of regular watering, timely application of fertilizers and treatment against pests and diseases.
When to start pruning an apple tree
The timing for each apple tree variety is individual. For early summer varieties, the recommended dates are the autumn months. It is recommended to prune apple trees with medium ripening periods in winter. Late varieties are best grown in spring.
The crown needs to be formed correctly. Usually in each season the procedure is carried out for one specific purpose:
- The main pruning is carried out in the winter months. The best time to carry out the procedure is the end of winter.
- Spring pruning is carried out to determine the main trunk. It is better to carry out the procedure after flowering.
- During the summer months, unnecessary branches are removed.
- In the autumn, thickened areas 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 gardening tools. To trim the crown, you need to prepare a disinfectant:
- a sharp knife is useful for removing very thin branches and burrs;
- thin branches are removed with pruning shears;
- to remove the top branches you will need a pruner with long handles;
- ladder.
The cut site is immediately treated with disinfectants, which are applied with a brush. Suitable: garden pitch, garden acrylic paint, Bordeaux mixture. Solutions are made based on components such as copper sulfate and potassium permanganate.
Schemes and forms of correct pruning
Pruning a pyramidal apple tree is not done too much and does not involve affecting the main shoot. Side horizontal and vertical branches should be formed. It is on them that the crop ripens.
Branch pruning is carried out in two directions:
- part of the shoot is cut off;
- In the second option, the branch is cut off completely.
The vertical branch grows stronger and faster. Horizontally located shoots grow more slowly, but they have more flower buds; this feature was the basis for the pruning procedure.
To form a beautiful crown and increase productivity, you will need to wait 5 years. The general scheme for pruning a tree, which will be suitable for beginner gardeners, involves the following steps:
- some time after planting, the trunk is shortened and the side shoots are removed; it is better to carry out the work in early spring before the juices begin to flow (in the first year of growth, it is better to cut off all the side shoots so that two buds remain on each);
- the 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;
- in the fourth year, only weakened, damaged and dry branches need to be removed;
- in the fifth year, it is recommended to remove the top to limit growth (by this time the height of the apple tree will be about 3 meters).
There is no need for further pruning. Only dry, diseased branches are removed.
Trimming options
During the formation process, either the side branches or the top are cut off. It is better to trim side branches in summer or spring. The procedure involves several stages:
- A year after planting, you need to cut off all the shoots except the top, leaving two buds.
- A year later, new shoots appear from the abandoned buds. The branch that will grow vertically is cut off again. And again only two buds are left. Another 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 fruiting branch is completely removed, since 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 in an upright position. It will become a continuation of the main trunk. The remaining shoots are removed according to the standard procedure.
By winter, a tree with pruned branches must be insulated using covering material.
Technique of the procedure
The weak point of a columnar apple tree is the top. For normal development, it is important to protect the apical bud from unfavorable factors. During the period of spring formation, it is important to determine the strongest shoot, which is left for further development, and all others are removed.
To carry out the procedure correctly, it is important to follow the following recommendations:
- Only young shoots that are no more than a year old are removed;
- the cut is made in the direction from the base of the branch to the top;
- the cut is made 12 mm above the bud;
- the incision is made carefully and evenly, trying not to damage the bark.
Branches must be trimmed carefully, being careful not to damage the bark. Don't make too deep cuts.
Winter pruning of apple trees
In winter, when there are no leaves on the tree, pruning is easier. All areas are visible, and 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 simultaneously pruned, and a fruiting zone is formed.
The columnar apple tree has no permanent branches. Since their growth is cylindrical, the lower branches do not have very favorable conditions for development. They receive little light and do not bear fruit. It is better to prune shoots on days when the air temperature does not drop below -10 degrees.
Spring
To stimulate tree growth and crown formation, spring pruning is carried out. The best period is considered to be the middle or last days of March. It is important to carry out the procedure before the juice begins to flow. Proper pruning involves leaving 4-5 buds on each branch.
After winter, the tips of branches that are frozen are also removed. Pruning allows you to rejuvenate the tree and increase its resistance to adverse factors.
Summer
In the summer months, unnecessary shoots with leaves that grow from the main trunk are removed. They absorb nutritional components and moisture, preventing the development of branches with fruits.
The branches of the columnar apple tree are easily removed by plucking.Small shoots must be removed with extreme caution, since the tree tolerates one large wound better than several small ones.
Autumn
Autumn pruning is carried out after the sap has stopped flowing. The procedure begins only after all the leaves have fallen from the tree. First, dry and damaged branches are removed, then shoots that are twisted are removed. The procedure will make it easier for the crop to endure winter.
