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What follows are three important young apple tree training
techniques you can use to insure the proper development of an orchard
that will become productive early and maintain high yields of quality
fruit. Note that the techniques described -- stripping, clothespinning,
and pinching -- are used for central-leader type tree training and pruning
systems, including slender-spindle and vertical axis. Time invested
NOW in training young, central-leader type trees will pay huge dividends
for the life of the orchard.
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Young Apple Tree Training Techique 1: STRIPPING
Stripping is a young tree training procedure
used to isolate and protect the central-leader of an apple tree.
The three to four buds directly below a heading cut on newly planted
apple trees develop vigorous, upright shoots. Choose the single
most upright shoot to remain as the leader, and then strip (with
a downward pull) or pinch out the few competing shoots (usually
2 or 3) directly below the leader shoot you want to maintain and
promote. These should be removed as soon as possible to focus
the growth into the central-leader and prevent a multi-leader
tree from developing. Hand pruners may also be used. These competing
shoots are easiest to identify and remove when 3-4” long.
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Young Apple Tree Training Technique 2: CLOTHESPINNING
After stripping, the use of clothespins to develop
wide (90 degree) and strong branch angles is the next most important
young apple tree training technique you can accomplish. The ideal
time to attach clothespins is when young shoots are 3-6 inches
long and flexible. Clip spring-type clothespins to the tree trunk
to force acute branch angles into a more perpendicular (90 degree)
angle from the trunk. Take care not to tear the shoots from the
trunk when affixing the clothespins. Clothespin all shoots with
narrow crotch angles that may form permanent scaffold branches
– usually 4-8 clothespins per tree are required. This is
assuming you have already stripped (removed) the top few shoots
competing with the leader. After several weeks, and when the new,
wide branch angle is established, the
clothespins may be removed and re-attached out onto the shoot
tip to help hold it down and keep it growing in a more horizontal
position. Take the time to train young trees with clothespins
now and you will be rewarded with wide scaffold branch crotch
angles that will withstand a heavy fruit load for the life of
the orchard.
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Young Apple Tree Training Technique 3: PINCHING
Pinching shoots is a young tree training technique
used on mostly first-, and second -leaf apple trees to promote
fruiting and manage growth in the top of the trees of vertical-axis,
slender-spindle, or super-spindle orchards. Rapidly growing shoots
that are six to eight inches long, that are in the top one-fourth
of the tree, and that originate from the leader, are prime candidates
for pinching. Pinch-back the shoot two inches using your thumb
and finger(s) or pruners. Pinching will do two things: weaken
the growth of the developing shoot so it is not as likely to compete
with the leader; and promote the development of a fruit bud in
the vicinity of the pinch if done now into early July. This technique
will also prevent the tree from becoming top-heavy, which would
eventually mandate a less desirable dormant pruning cut.
Watch a short video of Pinching
(5.9 MB, QuickTime
required)
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