- Why are branch categories important?
- Branch categories at a glance - classic classification system in a nutshell
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The optimal crown shape of ornamental and fruit trees depends largely on observing the strict hierarchy of branches. This guide explains why this is the case and which branch categories are important for pruning in the home garden.
For a professional pruning it is important to know the branch categories
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Show all- Why are branch categories important?
- Branch categories at a glance - classic classification system in a nutshell
Why are branch categories important?
In the garden of house gardener Müller, the apple tree led a sad existence. Every year in winter, the outer branches were diligently cut back, similar to a hedge trimming. A richly branched, mighty crown with dense foliage then formed. Not a trace of blossoms and apples far and wide.
This little story illustrates the consequences of ignoring the hierarchy of branches when pruning trees. Where all shoots of a similar diameter thrive, there is fierce competition for growth towards the light. The formation of flowers and fruits falls by the wayside.
If, on the other hand, the pruning takes into account a branch hierarchy in the form of main branches with subordinate fruit and blossom branches and fruit or blossom wood on them, the perfect crown shape is created. A lush flower dress and rich fruit yield will not be long in coming.
Branch categories at a glance - classic classification system in a nutshell
In the pruning of ornamental and fruit trees, there are various classification systems for naming branches according to their position and function within the crown. The following overview addresses one of the most common categorizations of knots for the perfect crown structure:
Trunk extension/middle shoot
The vertical extension of the stem or central shoot into the crown. The starting point is above the first side shoots. Trunk and trunk extension form the main axis of a tree crown and are part of the framework.
master
Dominant branch emerging from the stem extension. Several leading branches and side branches attached to them form, together with the trunk extension, the permanent basic structure of a tree crown. On a high-stemmed ornamental or fruit tree, for example, the educational pruning is aimed at a framework of trunk extensions with 4 to 5 main branches.
youtubeside branch
Subordinate branch emanating from a main branch, as a permanent component in the skeleton.
scaffolding branch
Collective term for all branches that are attributed to the permanent structure of a tree or are used in the course of pruning for this function.
fruit branch/flower branch
Subordinate, usually weaker crown branch, which will bear flower buds or fruit, or which is intended to have such a function in the course of pruning care. A fruit or flower branch can be at various positions within the crown and is not part of the permanent framework.
fruit wood/blossom wood
Collective term for all subordinate, weaker or short branches within the canopy. Characteristic are a dense stocking with buds, short internodes and a pronounced weak growth.
A further distinction is made within the knot categories, which relates to the respective knot diameter. The following table summarizes the values:
| Branch category by diameter | branch diameter |
|---|---|
| strongcast | more than 10 cm |
| coarse bast | 5 to 10 cm |
| weak branch | 3 to 5 cm |
| fine branch | 1 to 3 cm |
| Fine scan/branch | less than 1 cm |
tips
When home gardener Müller familiarized himself with the branch categories, the apple tree benefited from the newly gained expertise. In the first step, the crown was opened from above to gain an insight into the tangle of branches. The 5 strongest shoots on the lower tiers of the crown were selected as inguinal branches and trunk extensions. The strongest branches on the upper floors had to give way. The gardener left hand-picked, slow-growing shoots on the trunk extensions and main branches as future fruit branches, which will produce the valuable fruit wood.