Winter pruning of cherry trees is an essential practice to maintain the health of the tree, encourage good fruit production and improve the general structure of the plant. It is one of the key tasks in regulating load and forming structure in cherry orchards and is carried out during the winter months (June-July-August), both in orchards in formation and in production.
Before going into this subject, three important points will be addressed to understand this work.
Objectives of winter pruning in cherry trees:
-Remove dead, diseased or damaged wood: This helps prevent diseases and pests.
-Improve tree structure: Allows for better light and air entry, which is crucial for fruit production and good floral induction and differentiation.
-Promote the growth of strong, well-located branches: This helps support the weight of the fruit.
-Control the size and shape of the tree: Facilitates fruit harvesting and tree management.
Pruning time:
Winter pruning is carried out during the dormancy of the tree, after the leaves have fallen and before growth begins in spring. The ideal period is usually from late winter to early spring.
Tools needed:
-Scissors/Pruning shears
-Pruning saw
-Pruning paint or paste
It should be noted that there are different pruning strategies depending on the objective sought in each combination (variety/rootstock). To carry out this task, it is essential to have background information such as: Production history, analysis of bud fertility and counting of fruit centers. The Avium team, in fact, works under the parameter of flowers/ha, in order to calculate how intensely pruning should be carried out.
Although pruning should be carried out in both orchards in formation and in production, it is important to separate them when giving recommendations. In the case of orchards in formation, the main thing is to worry about forming a good tree architecture based on the training system. In the case of orchards in production, the main recommendation before facing this task is to have the most analysis possible, and thus be able to maximize the productive potential for each particular case. The objective will always be the highest number of kilos per hectare, with fruit above 70% SJ caliber.
In this context, Avium's technical team considers that for this season, given the climatic background that is being announced, it is pertinent to carry out said winter pruning as late as possible, understanding the operation of each orchard.
In practice
In order to carry out a correct winter pruning, it is necessary, in addition to having fundamental information such as production history, analysis of bud fertility and counting of fruit centers, to inspect the tree, identify dead, diseased, damaged or crossed branches. Based on this, it is necessary to:
-Remove dead and diseased wood: Cut all dead or diseased branches back to the point where the wood is healthy. Disinfect tools after each cut to prevent the spread of disease; each cut made must be perfectly painted.
-Remove suckers and basal shoots: These are shoots that come out of the trunk or base of the tree. They should be removed, as they consume nutrients and do not contribute to the structure of the tree.
-Crossed or tangled branches: Remove branches that cross or rub against each other to avoid injury and improve the structure of the tree.
-Reduce tree size (if necessary): Cut off top branches if the tree is too tall to facilitate harvesting and handling.
- Branch thinning: Removing some inner branches to allow better air circulation and sunlight entry. This also helps reduce humidity and the incidence of fungal diseases.
-Shaping and structure: Create a balanced and open structure. The goal is to have a tree with an open shape that allows light to enter all parts of the tree.
When pruning, it is essential to make clean cuts and avoid tearing the bark. In addition, it should be taken into consideration not to remove more than 25-30% of the crown in a single season to avoid excessive stress on the tree.
