Crisp fresh fruit, straight from the tree: In order for fruit trees to bear fruit in abundance, they have to be pruned correctly. The best season for this is late winter, when the tree is still dormant, but new growth is not too far away. You can find out how to do this in the following article, in which we would like to introduce you to the proven Oeschberg technology in more detail.

Fruit trees are pruned in winter

What is important with this cutting technique?

This technique, which has also been used in professional fruit growing since 1920, is based on anticipatory pruning and knowledge of the growth laws of fruit trees:

  • By making a targeted cut, you decide which branches will later form the tree structure. The branches should grow vigorously and without competition.
  • By pruning, bending or breaking, fruit wood that grows horizontally is preferably produced in the lower area.

When is it cut?

Fruit trees should be pruned when there is no vegetation, which in our latitudes lasts from the end of October to the beginning of April. Common mistakes made by newbies are:

  • Not pruning young trees at all or too little.
  • Cutting back old trees too much.

Especially with young trees, it is important not to cut too hesitantly so that they develop a stable crown and good fruit wood.

How should a fruit tree be constructed?

Experts recommend a slightly S-shaped tree structure with a maximum of four main branches. These should be arranged in such a way that you can easily place a ladder between them for later harvesting. Side branches grow from the main branches, on which the fruit wood forms.

How is it cut?

Due to ignorance, it is often abbreviated incorrectly:

  • It is common to start cutting from the bottom near the trunk, removing any branches that are growing inwards.
  • Future side branches, which would be important for the structure of the crown, also fall victim to this pruning.

It would be correct to cut the tree from the outside inwards. Images of perfectly pruned fruit trees serve as templates for the layman. Pay particular attention to the distribution and position of the leading branches, as these are the skeleton of the tree.

How can as many fruit branches be preserved as possible?

For this it is important that the branch grows as straight as possible. In order for this to succeed, it is "broken" or "kinked", as this measure is called in technical jargon. That is, they straighten the branch with a little force. Young branches survive this without any problems and grow back.

tips

The tree does not bear fruit on the leading branches, but on the horizontally sprouting, short shoots. You can recognize fruit buds by their round, plump shape, while leaf buds are flat and tapering to a point on branches that grow steeply upwards.

Category:

Trees