Pruning fruit tree
An important point when growing your own fruit is the pruning of a fruit tree. Although an unpruned fruit tree will also bear fruit, in many ways it is better to prune the trees and plants.
Of course, it depends on the type of fruit tree that you have which form of pruning is best for you. For example, a young fruit tree mainly needs topiary, while replacement pruning will be applied to an old tree.
Pruning fruit tree | The different shapes
Topiary
A young fruit tree mainly needs topiary. By applying this immediately after planting, the hair roots develop so that the tree can absorb nutrients better. Trees grown in pots can also be planted all year round.
To obtain a nice shape, it is best to keep 3 to 5 main branches. It is ideal if these are approximately the same in thickness and slope so that they also grow about the same speed. Once the main branches have been determined, the remaining branches can be pruned away. You can then prune the 'new' shoots back to 2 or 3 buds, these are the small thickening on the branch. At the pruning spot, the fruit tree will often branch again.
Maintenance pruning
Once the fruit tree has acquired its proper shape, proceed to maintenance pruning. With this method of pruning, a balance must be created between the energy (nutrient intake) of the tree and the various processes such as forming shoots, making flower buds and giving fruit. This way of pruning maintains the shape and promotes the production of fruit wood. You can thin out and/or rejuvenate regularly. The main thing is that there is enough light and air everywhere in the crown.
What are you taking away?
• Dead, broken, diseased and split branches.
• Branches growing through the crown.
• Water shoots and branches that use a lot of energy (for growth).
• Game storage.
Replacement pruning
If, over time, the fruit-bearing branches have deflected to such an extent that the fruits become smaller, the bent branches must be “replaced”. Usually a strong shoot has already developed at the place of the bend that can take its place. If that is not (yet) the case, the twig can be “topped” so that several new shoots are formed. You can then use one of these as a new fruit-bearing branch.
