Apple tree rejuvenation is a procedure suitable for trees over 10 years old. This is a type of pruning that is carried out in several stages. If the procedure is carried out correctly, the yield increases.
When pruning old apple trees
They start to it in the fall, after harvesting, and as soon as all the foliage falls off. It is important to have time to carry out the event 14 days before the onset of frost, so that the plant has time to adapt. At a time, no more than 1/3 of the crown volume is cut off, otherwise the apple tree may die.
Pruning is done only if the tree is healthy. If signs of decay or pest infestation are found, the problem is first dealt with.
In the process of rejuvenation, the plant needs watering and feeding. Therefore, simultaneously with pruning, the root circle is loosened, weeds are removed, water-charging watering and fertilizing with potassium-phosphorus compositions are carried out.
The procedure is divided into at least 3 trims.
Rules for the first anti-aging pruning
The measure is carried out only with a sharp instrument, previously disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate.
The first trimming is done “on the ring”.
At this point, delete:
- dead and weak shoots;
- badly damaged;
- dry;
- devoid of bark.
Weak and dead branches are cut along with the bark. Then the cut is closed with garden varnish or paint. The procedure prevents pathogenic bacteria from entering the wound.
The weather for the event is cloudy and dry. Air temperature - not less than -10 ° C.
Also, branches are cut, in which modifications are observed on the bark:
- spots (black and other colors);
- wrinkled areas;
- branches on which the bark departs, exposing dead tissue.
Shoots located next to bare branches are removed. Such areas are cut to healthy tissue, leaving the smoothest cuts possible. Even small stumps are not made, since foci of decay are preserved in them. The processes will move on to healthy tissues, gradually killing the whole tree.
At the same time, they carefully monitor that the total mass of the trimmed crown does not exceed 1/3.
Second anti-aging pruning
The procedure starts in February. At this point, special attention is paid to tops - long and thick shoots that grow vertically.
On each well-developed shoot, one top is left, bending it from the central trunk by 90 °. Thus, it is turned into a fruiting branch.
The rest of the tops, weaker ones, are cut using the "ring" method.
In the fall, in the second season, they continue anti-aging pruning. In short trees, the skeletal branches are shortened so that the branches located under them receive the maximum amount of light.
Thus, the total volume of the cut crown is already 2/3.
Third pruning
During this period, the remains of the branches are removed:
- old;
- sick;
- dry.
This stimulates the fruiting of the old apple tree, redistributing nutrients to the new fruiting branches.
Rejuvenation of an old apple tree by pruning fruit branches
The fruit branch is the most significant branch of the apple tree. Within 2 years, fruiting shoots are formed on it. Pruning it makes it possible to get even more branches that yield a crop.
Stimulation of the formation of such new shoots occurs by pruning the buds located on the top of the annual branches.
In the first season, lateral shoots appear after pruning.
On the second, buds are formed with flowers that give a crop.
New fruit links function for 5-6 years. Then they are removed again, redistributing to another promising shoot. The procedure is carried out an unlimited number of times.
With the help of rejuvenating pruning, the old apple tree is given a chance again. A correctly performed procedure helps to form new fruiting shoots, which will have a large amount of harvest.
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