Title: Commercial apple growing in California
Identifier: commercialappleg538koch (find matches)
Year: 1966 (1960s)
Authors: Koch, E. C. (Edward C. ), 1914-1992; Alderman, DeForest Charles, 1914-; Brown, Dillon S. , 1912-1998
Subjects: Apples
Publisher: (Berkeley, Calif. ) : Division of Agricultural Sciences, University of California
Contributing Library: University of California, Davis Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: University of California, Davis Libraries

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Pruning and training During the firsl I years of the orchard the primary aim in pruning is to develop a lice shape thai \\ ill lend itself to eco- nomical culture. The ideal tree should have three primary scaffold branches originating from the trunk, and two secondary scaffold branches arising from each primary. These six secondary branches are the main framework from which fruiting branches will grow. First year summer pinching. Growth l well-placed shoots for use as scaffold limbs max be encouraged by depressing the growth of other shoots. Removing the tip inch or two of shoots not well located for permanent limbs is called "pinching." It should usually be done from about mid- April to mid-May, or when shoots are 1 to 8 inches long. Pinching shoots on weak trees is not recommended. The first dormant pruning is done in winter following the first summer's growth. Three primary scaffold branches are selected at this time, and these should be -paced about equally around the trunk, preferably with a vertical spacing of 4 to 6 inches between them. Good vertical spacing promotes strong crotches which are le^< likely to develop pockets of rot later on or to split out from heavy crops and wind. The primaries generally need not be headed back, except to achieve a balance in growth among them. Three well-spaced primary branches cannot always be obtained the first year. If two good limbs are available, they may be headed hack to about 18 inches from the trunk to suppress their develop- ment until a third scaffold can he selected al the end of the second growing season. With an occasional tree it will he neces- sary to cut laterals back to one bud and defer scaffold selection until the next year. Such trees will generally grow vigorously and will benefit by summer pinching din- ing the second growing season. Second year dormant pruning. Five to seven secondary branches per tree, usually two on each primary scaffold, should be selected in the second dormant season. Well-chosen secondaries should be directed partially outward. New growth from such branches will fill in laterally, giving the tree a well-shaped framework. Secondary limbs should be left full length and not headed back, unless it is necessary to maintain balance with the primaries or other secondaries. Any forked tips may be thinned out to a single terminal. If a primary scaffold branch is overly vigor- ous it can be retarded by heading hack to balance with I he resl of the tree. Upright-growing sucker shoots should be removed. Most trees will produce4 short
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Fig. 8. Tree after first dormant pruning, with scaffolds headed hack lor balance ami spreaders holding branches apart. (16)

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