IN THE ORCHARD
How to prune fruit trees
Get out your secateurs and lopping shears ... now ! s the time to clean up and shape your fruit trees for best summer yields
The purpose of pruning of branches on fruit trees is to create a strong structure that can withstand wind without breaking , carry heavy crops of fruit that can be harvested easily , while letting in sunlight to the heart of the tree , to encourage even ripening . Most fruit trees are best
Pruning kit : Small chainsaw or pruning hand-saw , secateurs and lopping shears
pruned in late winter to early spring ~ in other words , on the Highveld , in late August . This is because : ❑ You want to prune the branches before sap starts to flow . ❑ The cut areas are less susceptible to insect infestation in the early spring . ❑ Without leaves and blossoms , you can see easily see the shape of the tree . ❑ The direction of the tree ' s future growth needs to be set before starting its growth spurt . Four different tools come in handy when pruning fruit trees : ❑ A hand or chainsaw is used to cut the big branches that should have been pruned a few years ago . ❑ A foldable small pruning saw for branches too big for
the lopping shears but too small to bother with the chainsaw . ❑ A set of long-handle lopping shears to cut branches that are bigger than your little finger . ❑ A pair of secateurs to trim all the small stuff . They are easy to handle and can get
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into tight areas . There are some general principles , and a set procedure , in pruning fruit trees : ❑ Inspect the tree for dead , diseased and damaged branches and remove them as well as any rotten dried out fruits remaining . ❑ Also remove any branches that are weak , cross each other ( or are likely to cross each other next season ), grow downward or have narrow crotches . ❑ Clip away any suckers growing from the lower portionofthetrunkorup from the roots . These are the little shoots that spring up from the roots of the plant . ❑ Make all the cuts flush with the main branch without damaging the bark . ❑ When pruning fruit trees , keep walking around the tree and look at the tree from different perspectives . The tree should look balanced from every angle . ❑ Viewed horizontally , the angle created by the limbs should resemble the hands of a clock at 10 o ' clock or at 2 o ' clock . ❑ Always prune back to buds aimed in the direction in which you want the limb to
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