The crown of the tree towers above the trunk and forms essential basic organs for the survival of a tree. It gives people shade, fruits and also spiritual fulfillment. In this article you will learn practical and romantic facts about treetops from the cut to the poem.

Treetops have always fascinated people

Table of Contents

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  1. Definition tree crown
  2. Treetops from a gardener's point of view
  3. cutting treetops
  4. The treetop as a mystic and spiritual inspirer
  5. frequently asked Questions

    6. Botanical definition of the tree crown

    From a botanical point of view, the crown of a tree is the part of a tree that is usually divided into branches, twigs and leaves from the trunk. The branches and twigs serve as part of the shoot axis for the supply of nutrients, water and assimilates absorbed via the roots to the leaves. As one of the basic organs of the tree, these ensure the metabolism of the energy absorbed through photosynthesis and transpiration.

    Depending on the tree species, tree crowns can be very differently shaped and equipped. An essential criterion is of course the distinction between leaves and needles, which is visually noticeable in the human perception. Biologically, needle leaves in trees are a sober adaptation, especially to dry environmental conditions, which can be cushioned by the reduced leaf surface and the thick cuticle.

    In terms of their habit, tree crowns vary between lush, sprawling and narrow, tall forms, which also depend on environmental conditions such as light and space and temperature.

    Treetops from a gardener's perspective

    Tree canopies are pruned for a variety of reasons

    In the wild, trees can easily manage even with their crown. In order to maintain their practical functions, they usually do not need any help from humans. After all, care measures in the form of pruning by humans primarily serve the economic and/or aesthetic use of the tree.

    When pruning tree crowns, a distinction must first be made between two categories, each of which relates to other tree species and other objectives:

    1. Crop pruning for higher fruit yield
    2. Ornamental pruning for more luxuriant flowering and beauty of form

    The pruning of useful trees - and when it comes to tree crown pruning, we are of course referring to fruit trees - primarily has an economic purpose, while ornamental trees focus on the aesthetic appearance for enjoyment.

    There are different techniques for both types of canopy pruning, each with slightly varying interests behind them. Let's take a closer look at the most important ones.

    cutting treetops

    In this section, let us first turn to fruit tree pruning and then ornamental tree pruning.

    fruit tree pruning

    The canopy of fruit trees is pruned to increase yield

    The goal when pruning fruit trees is to achieve a lush and aromatic fruit yield and a good balance between growth, flowering and fruit formation over the entire lifespan. A few basic knowledge about the effect of editing activities are useful for this. Basically, the following things apply:

    • Cutting off shoots completely (i.e. at or behind the base) transfers growth power to the existing twigs and branches, cutting off before the base stimulates new branching
    • The amount of pruning depends on the growth rate of the tree species, the age and the rootstock
    • The timing of the cut is based on the joy of growth

    The beginning of a branch always forms a clear border to a new section. This means that the energy flow of the tree can be specifically controlled by the location of the cutting of shoots. If you cut a shoot at or behind the point of attachment, the energy returns to the older parts of the crown. If, on the other hand, the shoot is cut off before the starting point, it also remains in the young wood and stimulates new shoots, which later require more corrective cuts.

    Depending on the type of fruit, the age of the individual and the type of rootstock in grafted trees, fruit trees grow at different speeds. Slow-growing fruit trees or rootstocks such as apples or quinces are generally easier to cut and do not need to be constantly checked. On the other hand, species that shoot up quickly and/or branch easily, such as pears, sweet cherries or plums, must be pruned more frequently and, if possible, in the summer after the harvest in order to curb growth and provide more light by removing excess shoots.

    Pruning depends on the stage a fruit tree is in. With regard to these phases, a distinction is made between 4 cutting methods:

    1st plant cut
    2. Education cut
    3rd maintenance cut
    4. Rejuvenation cut

    plant cutting education cut maintenance cut taper cut
    At what stage of life? After planting Growing up In mature, regularly fruiting stage In old age, after years without care
    season In the first spring Annually in winter, possibly additionally in summer Annually in winter Once/if necessary in spring
    purposes Specify the first form direction Promote viable, balanced crown Maintain shape and ensure a balanced fruit yield 'Cancellation' of naturalization, revitalization
    measures Remove lower shoots and competing shoots from the center shoot Shorten the central shoot and main side branches, remove inner and vertical shoots Remove internal and vertical shoots as well as old wood, Remove old wood generously, as well as any water shot that follows

    plant cutting

    When pruning, it is important to give the crown of the fruit tree an initial direction after planting. For this purpose, in the spring, the unnecessary shoots in the lower area are removed, which should not belong to the future crown. In the part of the crown that you want to keep, you choose a middle shoot that is as central and vertical as possible and remove competing, strong side shoots. In addition, all remaining shoots are trimmed so that they are about the same length and an overall balanced supply of nutrients is promoted.

    education cut

    The aim of pruning a young tree for education is to build up a stable and well-ventilated crown structure that is supplied with light. The training pruning is carried out once a year in winter, in the case of fast-growing varieties also in the summer after flowering or after the harvest, when the tree has reached fruit-ripening age. In this phase, the central drive can be shortened a little to strengthen it. Otherwise, all inward-growing shoots are removed and the balanced main branches are shortened, also to strengthen them.

    maintenance cut

    If the fruit tree has reached a stable, middle age, in which it regularly shows a balanced fruit production in terms of quantity and aroma, this should be preserved. To do this, every winter you remove all shoots that grow inward/vertically and older, heavily branched outer shoots that only bear a few fruits.

    taper cut

    As they mature, fruit trees can do with a pruning every now and then. Even individuals who have not been pruned for years can be brought back to life. However, a rejuvenation pruning is not a trivial matter and also challenges professional fruit growers. Because a rejuvenation cut is characterized by the fact that a lot of old branch material and parasites such as mistletoe or light absorbers such as ivy are removed, which considerably upsets the natural balance of the tree. If necessary, an expert should be consulted.

    Basically, a rejuvenation cut is carried out in the spring. All old, heavily branched branches are removed, so that only selected, vital branches remain in a balanced distribution. The tree will react to the removal of large main branches over the course of the season by forming vertical shoots of water, which should be removed immediately. In the following year after the regeneration one returns to the maintenance pruning.

    ornamental tree pruning

    Ornamental trees are often cut into shape

    Ornamental trees are kept for aesthetic pleasure, which is why pruning measures are also applied to them to preserve the abundance of flowers and an attractive growth habit.

    When trimming ornamental trees, less is often more

    In general, trimming ornamental trees is a little less military than trimming fruit trees. With most species, you don't have to use the pruning shears every year and you are also a little more flexible with the time of year. In addition, you should be cautious with cutting some ornamental trees anyway. Because the natural growth pattern is often particularly attractive and can degenerate into characterlessness if the pruning is too meticulous. Especially with popular ornamental trees such as the Japanese maple, magnolia or ginkgo tree, the full treetop charisma often only develops in old age - so it is worth patiently holding back from intervening.

    Consider cut compatibility

    Aside from the naturally developing aesthetics of the treetop shape, one should also be cautious about the pruning tolerance of ornamental trees. Because some do not like pruning at all and react to it with only very hesitant re-sprout. Coniferous trees in particular should be left to their own devices, but mountain ash, vinegar trees and golden maples also prefer to remain untouched. On the other hand, species that thrive and sprout readily, such as ornamental apples, ornamental cherries, hawthorn and hawthorn, and especially rose bushes, can easily be grown into dense crowns.

    promote blooms

    Blossom promotion is another goal of pruning

    In addition to form training, flowering is an important concern when pruning ornamental trees. In order to be successful in this, you need to know when the time is right. Especially if you cut too late, you can literally nip the whole upcoming bloom in the bud. Basically, spring bloomers are cut after flowering, summer bloomers in winter or early spring.

    care for the treetop

    In order to keep the shape of a goat tree crown and also to promote healthy, balanced growth, it is necessary to trim it from time to time. Similar to the maintenance pruning of fruit trees, the shoots that grow inwards and vertically are removed. In this way, the remaining branches and twigs get more light and air and the nutrients are distributed more evenly.

    Fast-growing ornamental trees also need a treetop reduction every now and then. It is important to preserve the natural growth form. This can be achieved by only trimming the longest main branches just above the base of one of its side shoots, rather than simply 'shaving' everything from the outside to a uniform length.

    Educate treetop shape

    If the crowns of ornamental trees are shaped, then as a rule they are spherical. Varieties are suitable for this that naturally form a densely branched crown and therefore in many cases have the prefix 'Kugel-' in front of their species name - such as spherical maple, spherical locust or spherical trumpet tree. But hawthorn and hawthorn are also popular and suitable candidates for ball tree crown training.

    The cut to the geometrically accurate ball is made every 2-3 years in winter, whereby the cutting point on the shoots is always pushed outwards a little bit in order to keep the cut injury to a minimum.

    The treetop as a mystic and spiritual inspirer

    Treetops also play a role again and again in poetry and literature

    Finally, a few words about the great romantic role that treetops have always played for human beings. Their majestic mightiness, their whispering murmur, their vibrant vitality, refreshing shade and protection from wind and weather are sweet, sensory gifts that have prompted people in all regions and cultures to poetic, mystical and religious glorifications. Entire concepts of belief are based on plants and in particular on trees, and in poetry treetops, which give comfort, shade, joy and beautiful horror, are protagonists countless times.

    Our great poet Schiller expresses the individual appropriation by the beauty, the unfathomable grandeur and mysterious connection of treetops:

    Excerpt from: The Walk by Friedrich Schiller, 1795:

    But now there's a roar from the nearby bushes,
    the alder crowns bend low,
    And in the wind the silvered grass sways.
    Ambrosian night surrounds me: in fragrant cooling
    A magnificent roof of shady beeches takes me,
    In the secret of the forest, the landscape suddenly flees from me,
    And a meandering path leads me upwards.
    Only furtively does the twig penetrate the leafy trellis
    Economical light, and the blue peers in laughingly.
    But suddenly the pile tears. The open forest gives
    Surprisingly the day's dazzling shine back me.

    frequently asked Questions

    How exactly is the tree crown defined?

    The crown of a tree is the part of the stem of a tree that transitions from the trunk to the branching into branches, twigs and leaves. It is used for nutrient and water transport as well as for metabolism.

    How do I cut the canopy of a fruit tree?

    When pruning fruit trees, it is important to promote as much fruit yield as possible and to keep the tree healthy and young. Depending on the phase of life, fruit trees are planted, trained, maintained or rejuvenated. When pruning a newly planted fruit tree, you give the basic direction for the shape of the crown. When pruning for education, the selected main branches are promoted in order to get a stable crown. Maintenance pruning serves to maintain good crown aeration and clearing and thus a regular fruit yield. A rejuvenation cut revives old and/or overgrown specimens.

    How often do I have to cut the canopy of a fruit tree?

    Fruit trees should ideally be pruned every winter. Very vigorous species tolerate an additional pruning in summer.

    How do I trim the crown of an ornamental tree?

    You should be a bit more cautious with pruning ornamental trees than with fruit trees. On the one hand, some varieties do not tolerate frequent pruning very well, on the other hand, the natural growth habit is often extremely attractive and should not be destroyed. In the case of species that are not sensitive to pruning and sprout readily, a pruning can be carried out every few years for the purpose of thinning out and reducing the size of the crown. The training to spherical tree crowns is only suitable for naturally densely branching varieties.

    How often is a treetop pruning necessary for ornamental trees?

    Ornamental trees that are vigorous and tolerate pruning can be pruned and thinned out every 2-3 years. On the other hand, slow-growing species that are less tolerant of pruning should be left alone and only pruned in the event of storm damage.

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Trees