Training and Pruning Fruit and Nut Trees

Question 1

Pruning

Answer 1

cutting away shoots and branches

Question 2

Training

Answer 2

manipulating a tree to desired shape, pruning to establish and maintain shape, involves tying branches to posts or trellis

Question 3

Water sprouts

Answer 3

shoots that develop on the trunk and branches of trees

Question 4

Suckers

Answer 4

shoots that grow from roots or the base of tree

Question 5

What are the different kinds of pruning cuts

Answer 5

heading, thinning, releadering, jump

Question 6

Heading cuts

Answer 6

Cut a branch without completely removing it, stimulates branch near cut, locally invigorating

Question 7

When do you use heading cuts

Answer 7

on small branches to reduce the number of buds, possibility more vigorous flowers and fruit from buds remain
one large branch restructures a tree
on all branches to remove dead, disease, damaged wood

Question 8

pruning cuts

Answer 8

cut just above the bud at point of attachment

Question 9

pruning cuts

Answer 9

cut just above the bud at point of attachment

Question 10

thinning cuts

Answer 10

complete removal at point of origin of branch or limb

Question 11

What are the benefits of thinning cuts

Answer 11

invigorates growth, remove dense growth and allows more air and light to flow into the center of a plant, stimulate growth, reveal the structure of plant, finely tune the shape of a plant

Question 12

How do you cut a thinning cut?

Answer 12

Locating the correct vertical angle, leave small stub and allow for the cut to heal with a callus

Question 13

How do you cut a thinning cut?

Answer 13

Locating the correct vertical angle, leave small stub and allow for the cut to heal with a callus

Question 14

Releadering cut

Answer 14

removes a portion of a branch at the point where dominate branch or “leader” and a thinner and shorter (the subordinate branch) split, typically at “Y” junction of two branches

Question 15

What is the purpose of a releadering cut

Answer 15

reduce height, weight, or density of a plant, redirect growth of a plant

Question 16

What is the purpose of a releadering cut

Answer 16

reduce height, weight, or density of a plant, redirect growth of a plant

Question 17

jump cut

Answer 17

first cut made 4-12 inches from final cut, a quarter or third of way through branch
second cut made 1-2 inches further on branch
third cut made just outside branch collar and all the way through

Question 18

What is the purpose of training trees?

Answer 18

1. Structural support to support maximum crop load
2. Well distributed crop throughout the tree
3. Optimum sunlight exposure throughout the tree
4. Easy access to all parts of the tree from cultural and harvesting operations

Question 19

What are the two training systems

Answer 19

open center and central lead

Question 20

Open center

Answer 20

spreading vase shaped tree that has good light penetration to all parts of the tree, provides good air circulation, helps prevent fungal disease, keep many fruits on a stone fruit within reach,

Question 21

Why do you prune mature trees?

Answer 21

invigorate and renew fruitwood, manage light distribution, reduce alternate bearing, control tree size

Question 22

Central leader

Answer 22

pruning used for tree that have more of an upright growth habit, objective is upright tree with lateral branches coming out from central axis, adaptable for closed-planted, intensive orchards

Question 23

Why are modified central leaders beneficial

Answer 23

reduce height, maintain structural integrity, allow for good light and airflow to center of tree

Question 24

True or false: grape pruning requires removal of between 80-90% of canes each year

Answer 24

true

Question 25

When should pruning be done?

Answer 25

dormant season

Question 26

What does summer pruning cause

Answer 26

dwarfing and sometimes used to control trees size

Question 27

True or false: never prune off more than 20% of an old tree each year?

Answer 27

true

Question 28

True or false: never prune off more than 20% of an old tree each year?

Answer 28

true

Question 29

What does topping a vertical branch do?

Answer 29

encourages vegetative growth necessary for development of the tree and open the tree to more sunlight

Question 30

What does topping a horizontal branches do?

Answer 30

renews fruiting wood and to thin off excessive fruit, bear earlier and heavier

Question 31

How does a cut influence buds?

Answer 31

the cuts affect the buds within 1 to 8 inches of the cut surface, not 3-4 feet down into the tree

Question 32

Do shading branches eventually stop fruiting?

Answer 32

Yes

Question 33

How tall should stubs be cut?

Answer 33

within 1/4’’

Question 34

What angle should the branches be of upright vigorous growing trees?

Answer 34

45 degrees