- Systematically removing all branches from one side of the tree has been successful in renewing the productive structures of an adult cherry orchard.
The strategy of recovering orchards with more intense pruning, systematically removing all the branches from one side of the plant, has had good results in recent years according to the experiences of Avium SpA. The idea is to carry out intense pruning on one side of the trees in a non-selective way, trying to leave a kind of "blocks" of branches around 30 cm in length. The other side should receive a softer pruning, perhaps only removing those more vigorous and useless structures (suckers) in order to compensate for the elimination, in practice, of half of the productive volume of the tree.
The objective of this type of winter pruning is that every time a branch is removed, it responds by renewing it by at least 80 cm, in order to project it as a new productive branch in the future. In an orchard with a good load-bearing potential, this unfortunately does not happen, due to shade and the competition of the fruit itself. In another case, in orchards with poor structure, with a low supply of fruit centres and low production potential (6 tons/ha), this renewal is a quick way to improve the supply of branches and fruit centres and access a better future potential.
“Winter pruning, which we could define as dormant state pruning, should be carried out from late May until the day the first flower appears in the garden, which could be the first of September as a general date. During this period, all the cuts made to the plant take on a condition of enhancing its vigor, that is, if I want to eliminate a branch with a concept of structural renewal, it is extremely important to eliminate it during dormancy, considering leaving an active point in the trunk in the case of removing branches so that they take their renewal from that point. Winter pruning is much more successful in renewing structures than summer pruning."said Carlos Tapia, director of Avium SpA.
From a commercial point of view, this intense pruning should be carried out in the first year on half of the planted surface so that the total yield decreases, in theory, by only 25%. However, in reality the drop in production is a little less, since the branches that are on the side of soft pruning, produce a little more fruit.
“In situations of high production, the elimination of a small percentage of branches (1 to 3 branches per plant) does not have a satisfactory response in structural renewal, however, when intense pruning is carried out, significant changes are seen in terms of orchard renewal.” the expert added.
To obtain positive results, it is recommended to carry out this type of pruning in alternation with the 50% of the surface and always wait a season to carry out the side of the axis that has not been renewed. Although it is a drastic strategy, the orchard must be in appropriate conditions to be able to carry it out, it must be healthy and there must be an appropriate availability of light, but it works and after a few years a completely new orchard is obtained.
Source Information
– Carlos Tapia, Director Avium SpA.
