To prevent early thickening of the crown, first of all you should not lay more main branches than is predetermined by the crown formation system.

When pruning trees with high shoot-forming capacity, avoid shortening the branches. The main type of pruning in this case is cutting out entire branches (thinning). When forming crowns on trees characterized by pyramidal growth, cuts should be made above the outer buds or lateral branches oriented towards the periphery of the crown.

It’s even better to first make a cut on the inner bud (twig), and next year - on the outer branch located below the cut made last year. The first, more or less large, branches on the main branches should not be located closer than 50-60 cm from their bases.

Each major branch must have its own development sector. All its branches extending beyond this sector should be cut off to transfer to a branch growing in the right direction (in its sector). In places where there is no space for the growth of new branches, shoots must be broken off. If this has not been done, you need to cut out the thickening branches into a ring or trim them into a weak branch.

Formation of a sparse-tiered crown

The sparsely tiered crown finds the most wide application in all fruit growing zones. It is formed from 5-7 branches of the first order and approximately the same number of branches of the second order.

In the lower part of the crown, two adjacent or close branches are placed, and the third is placed at a distance of 15-30 cm from them; a tier of three close branches is also allowed. Subsequent branches are placed singly around the trunk, if there are five branches in total, or a second tier is created from two branches and another 1-2 branches are placed singly ( rice. 32)

In the south and in middle lane the distance between tiers is set for varieties with a wide crown 60-80 cm, and for vigorous varieties with a raised crown - 80-100 cm. In more severe natural conditions these intervals are reduced to 50-60 cm.

Branches of the second order are laid only on the three lower branches, no more than two on each.

In the spring of the first year, the annual plant is pruned to a height of up to 70 cm; in the summer, shoots below 40 cm are pruned. In the spring of the second year, branches that are not used are cut into a ring to form the crown. The skeletal branches are shortened annually at the same level, while removing 1/3 - 1/5 of the annual growth, and the central conductor is 25 cm above the top of the lateral branches.

The main branches must be subordinate to the conductor. As for the branches of the second order, they should not compete with the branches of the first order, and the lower main branches should be thicker than the upper ones.

You should strive to ensure that the branches of the first tier are equally developed. In the first few years, it is necessary to regulate the development of the main branches by shortening, bending or tightening the drooping ones; move them to the top or bottom direction, to the right or to the left.

You should always strive for minimal pruning, but it is best to use techniques to control the growth and direction of branches, such as bending, bending and warping. The crown is also formed and trees are pruned depending on the characteristics of the group of varieties.

Methods for attaching branches when changing the angle of inclination are shown in the figure ( rice. thirty)

Rice. 30. Methods of fastening branches when changing the angle of inclination: 1 - wire staples; 2 - initial position branches (dotted line); 3 - spacers; 4 - garter of branches to the trunk; 5 - garter of strongly deviated branches; 6 - garter to the lower branches; 7 - garter to stakes; 8 - garter to the guide rails

It is better to install supports and use fastenings for crowns in advance, but not later than the time when the fruits of the apple tree reach the size walnut or when the branches, under the weight of the fruit, deviate from their original position by 20-30 cm.

The supports can be replaced with an umbrella support: all branches that are in danger of breaking off are tied to a pole 4-5 m high, installed in the middle of the crown, with twine or wire. It is recommended to construct supports in the spring, before flowering.

Formation of overgrowing branches

All branches developing on the main branches of the second order are turned into fruit branches by summer pinching, as well as by spring shortening before blossoming. Shoots that have a horizontal direction are not shortened ( rice. 31).

Rice. 3Formation of overgrowing branches (the dashes show the location of pruning depending on the nature of the branching)

Branches shortened by 6-8 buds produce 2-3 shoots, and the following year they are shortened by 5-8 buds.

Within 2-3 years, these branches turn into fruit branches. The inclination of the branches also speeds up the onset of fruiting. To bend 2-3 year old branches, it is best to use the deformation method, that is, bending until the wood cracks.

There are many types of crowns. However, in collective and home gardens for strong and medium-sized trees on seed rootstocks, the most common is sparsely layered. The sparsely-tiered crown ensures the strength of its skeleton, good illumination, and therefore high efficiency photosynthesis, tree productivity, ease of care.

The standard for apple and pear trees on seed rootstocks is 70-80 cm. The crown skeleton consists of 5-7 branches. Of these, two or three are formed in the first (lower) tier. Two are selected from shoots located through one bud, or better yet through two, the lower ones at a distance of about 10 cm from each other, and the third, upper one, -20 cm from them (so that the crowding of skeletal branches in the tier does not weaken the central conductor). The angles of departure of the skeletal branches are 45-50° to the vertical, and the angles of divergence between them (horizontally) are 120° and 180°.

The remaining skeletal branches are laid higher, evenly along the length of the trunk: the first of them - 50-60 cm from the upper branch of the first tier, on the opposite side from it (in varieties with a pyramidal and dense crown - after 80 cm).

The branches of the upper sparse tier are placed evenly around the trunk at a distance of 30-40 cm from each other. Moreover, their projections should be between the skeletal branches of the lower tier. For a sparsely layered crown, it is important that the upper tier contains no fewer skeletal branches than the lower one. In varieties with a naturally pyramidal crown, the number of skeletal branches in the upper sparse tier should be even greater than in the lower one (for example, if there are three in the lower one, then there are four in the upper one; if there are two in the lower one, then there are three in the upper one). In addition, it is necessary different ways correct sharp angles of branches: using spacers, cutting to transfer, overlapping and braiding branches behind adjacent branches; also use hanging weights, ropes for pulling branches to lower branches, a standard (a clove hammered into it), neighboring trees, and pegs driven into the ground.

The skeletal branches of the lower tier are directed mainly towards the sides of the row spacing, but not more than 45° to the row line (so as not to interfere with the processing of the row spacing). And the branches upper tier located in all directions.

Skeletal branches of the second order (lateral, grown on skeletal branches of the first order, which extend from the trunk) form only in the lower tier - two or three on each skeletal branch and alternately on different sides, at a distance of 45-60 cm from the trunk and among themselves. Their opposite is unacceptable pair arrangement- this depresses the carrier branch, it becomes weaker than them and may wither.

In the upper tier, on the skeletal branches of the first order, one or two semi-skeletal branches are formed, since the skeletal branches of the second order in the upper tier exaggerate the crown. Some even recommend planting only overgrown branches on the skeletal branches of the upper tier.

Semi-skeletal branches (third order) about 1.5 m long are formed from lateral branches with angles of departure in the lower tier of 50-60 °, and in the upper tier - 70-80 °. They are given this angle by deviation. Branches of the third order are placed on the skeletal branches of the first and second orders and the trunk at intervals of 20-40 cm from the bases of the skeletal branches and among themselves. For densely crowned varieties - at a distance of 60-70 cm.

Overgrowing (fourth order) fruit branches 50-90 cm long should cover all skeletal, semi-skeletal branches and the trunk every 10-20 cm.

All pome and many stone fruits are formed according to a sparse-tiered system - with modifications.

When forming and pruning the crowns of all species, you must remember and follow the following rules:

When trimming close attention need to pay attention to the angles of branches. Their growth and fruiting, as well as the strength of fusion with carriers, depend on this. Branches growing vertically and at sharp angles to the vertical grow intensively, but bear fruit poorly and do not grow firmly with their carriers. And branches growing close to the horizontal bear fruit abundantly, but grow poorly. This is also not always good, since a balance must be maintained between growth and fruiting. The optimal angle of departure is 50-60 °. True, there are nuances: for example, it is better to form the skeletal branches of the lower tier at an angle of 45-50 ° (this makes processing easier tree trunk circles), and semi-skeletal branches of the upper tier - 70-80 ° (so that the crown does not become too high and apical growth is inhibited, which is very intense in the branches of the upper tier).

When forming the crown, it is necessary to observe the law of subordination of branches of different orders and tiers between themselves and the trunk: the thickness of the skeletal branches of the first order should be 0.6-0.8 of the thickness of the trunk at the point of fusion; the thickness of the skeletal branches of the upper tier should be approximately the same as the thickness of the first-order skeletal branches of the lower tier; skeletal branches of the second order - 0.6-0.7 times the thickness of their skeletal branches of the first order (they should be shorter by another 1-1.5 m); semi-skeletal branches - 0.5 thickness of their skeletal carrier branches. The tops of branches of higher orders should be lower than the tops of their carrier branches: in varieties with spreading and spherical crowns by 15-20 cm, in varieties with pyramidal crowns - by 25-30 cm.

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Basic crown shapes, pruning order and technique,
crown formation young tree

What you need to know to successfully master pruning techniques

Pruning trees and forming a crown is a serious matter, but if desired, everyone can understand the principles, understand the essence of the process and achieve compactness, large-fruitedness, and productivity from their apple trees.

Of all the activities carried out in the garden, perhaps the most difficult, especially for beginner gardeners. Pruning a fruit tree is nothing more than surgical intervention into his Organism, and the slightest mistakes made in this case, especially in relation to newly planted young trees, are fraught with serious consequences.

The need for systematic and consistent formation of the crown of a young tree is justified by the fact that mature tree, in our case, must have sufficient strength of fusion of the crown branches with the central conductor, good lighting all their areas, which contributes to the formation of fruits not only on the outer, but also in the inner zone of the crown.

In addition, in order to increase the density of plantings, improve the convenience of caring for the crown and harvesting the crop, it is necessary to choose a formation system such that even mature trees are of small height with a low-volume crown.

Common in practical gardening various systems formation fruit trees, but the most accessible and at the same time universal crown for amateur gardeners is the small-sized sparsely tiered crown.

Basic crown shapes

Small-sized sparsely-tiered crown

It is recommended as the main formation for plantings on both vigorous and weak-growing rootstocks. In this case, the crown is formed, as a rule, from 5 skeletal (main) branches of the first order on a trunk 60-70 cm high.

In the lower part, a tier is created from two adjacent or close, oppositely located branches. Others are located sparsely with an interval between the lower tier and the third branch of at least 60 cm, the rest - after 30-40 cm. The upper branch (5th or 6th) is laid at a height of 1.8-2.1 m.

Semi-skeletal branches 1-2 m long are formed on the skeletal branches. They are placed singly or in groups of two or three, on the lateral and outer sides of the main branches. Between groups of semi-skeletal branches, an interval of 40-60 cm is maintained.

Skeletal branches are placed at an angle of 40-45° to the row line, which allows you to create a more convenient shape, flattened on the row-spacing side, reduce the row-spacing width and increase the density of plants per unit area. The specified formation system makes it possible to limit the height of trees to 2.5-3.0 m.

(in the second to fourth year after planting): left - before pruning, right - after pruning

Semi-flat crown

The crown consists of a well-developed central conductor and 4-6 skeletal branches of the first order, directed at an angle of no more than 30° to the row line.

The lower tier is laid from two oppositely located branches, between which a height interval of 20-30 cm is acceptable. The remaining branches are placed sparsely along the trunk. The third branch is laid at intervals of at least 60 cm, subsequent ones - after 40-50 cm. As a result, the semi-flat crown forms fruit walls 3.0-3.5 m wide and 2.5-3.5 m high.

Rounded spindle-shaped crown

The crown is formed from lateral branches evenly spaced around the central conductor. The lower tier consists of 5-7 branches, which, in order to weaken growth, are given a slope of 25-35° to the horizons. With a smaller number of branches in the first tier they become excessively strong, with a larger number they do not reach required sizes and sag greatly under the weight of the fruit.

The number of branches in subsequent tiers may be greater than in the lower tier, or less. To reduce growth, strengthening reproductive functions they are given a horizontal or slightly elevated position. Crown parameters depending on growth vigor, rootstocks and varieties: height 2.5-3.5 m, width up to 3.5-4 m.

The fully formed crown in the lower part has small openings on the row-spacing side, which make it more convenient for trimming and cleaning blankets. Making openings in the crown is carried out by spreading the branches growing between the rows to the sides, fixing them in this position with a garter and using pruning for transfer.

Flat spindle-shaped crown

Recommended for extensive production testing. It consists of a well-developed central conductor and two strong, oppositely located skeletal branches, forming a palmettic layer, and semi-skeletal branches. Skeletal branches and the bulk of semi-skeletal branches are formed in the plane of the row.

For some weakening of growth, increased branching and stimulating fruiting the skeletal branches are given an inclination of 55-60° from the vertical, and the semi-skeletal branches located higher along the conductor are given a horizontal or slightly elevated position. Between the main branches in height, an interval of 20-30 cm is acceptable.

Semi-skeletal branches, depending on the shoot-forming ability of the varieties and their divergence in space, are placed on the sides of the central conductor every 20-40 cm. In varieties with a pronounced tiered growth, these branches are placed in tiers of 4-6 in each. In this case, an interval of 40-45 cm is required between tiers.

Length of skeletal branches growing along the row line, depending on the growth strength of the rootstocks and the density of trees in the row, can reach 1-1.8 m in the lower part of the crown, 0.7-1.5 m in the upper part. The length of semi-skeletal branches growing to the side row spacing is limited by the accepted thickness of the fruit wall. As the crowns grow, branches of this orientation are gradually removed into a ring or transferred to branches growing along the row line.

The order and technique of pruning

Tree pruning during the period of crown formation should be minimal and intensify as harvests increase and growth processes weaken.

Correct cuts of branches

This means that with the minimum necessary alienation of wood, obtaining the most short time completed and well-executed crowns, with maximum growth rates of leaf surface and fruit wood. This is achieved through extensive use of inclination of skeletal and semi-skeletal branches and limitation of cutting.

At the same time, trimming the central conductor in order to obtain branches at the required height, shortening the main branches (with optimal angle their inclination) to enhance branching or subordination, cutting out competitors that are not subject to inclination, vertical shoots and branches with sharp branching ears must be performed very carefully.

A faster growth of leaf surface and fruit wood in many formations is facilitated by leaving temporary branches on the central conductor. But this is permissible only in varieties whose branches sharply blunt their growth when they are transferred to a horizontal or slightly drooping position and do not form a significant number of tops. In varieties such as Pepin Saffron, Autumn Striped and others that weakly or do not respond at all to tilt, it is not advisable to leave temporary branches.

Anti-aging pruning of trees begins when the length of the terminal growths of skeletal and semi-skeletal branches becomes less than 25-30 cm. The first anti-aging Pruning is carried out on two to three year old wood. In terms of its strength, such pruning in the first years of fruiting is quite sufficient to maintain active growth and obtain high-quality fruits. As harvests increase and trees age, it intensifies and is carried out on “older” wood with an annual growth length of at least 40 cm.

In full-aged plantings, as the crowns thicken, rejuvenating pruning is combined with cutting out the least valuable branches to improve the radiation regime of the crowns. When carrying out anti-aging pruning, the principle of subordination of branches in the crown must be strictly observed in order to preserve, and in some cases improve its shape and design.

The main feature that determines the timing of the beginning of limiting the height of trees in plantings with round and semi-flat formations is natural opening crowns, usually occurring after two or three bountiful harvests, when the tops of the branches deviate quite far from the central conductor.

In plantations with round and semi-flat formations, the method of limiting or reducing the height of trees should be preceded by opening the center of the crowns.

The central conductor is cut out at the accepted height with a “protective link”; strong vertical branches and branches in the center of the crown are also cut out. Conducting this appointment improves radiation regime in the central part of the crowns, reduces the number of strong vertical restoration growths in the area of ​​cutting branches.

In order to reduce the activity of restoration processes in the upper part of the crowns, pruning to limit the height of trees is best done in late spring or early summer.

Formation of the crown of a young apple tree

Fruit nurseries and gardening partnerships sell planting material pome-bearing species (apple, pear), usually in two year old age.

The two-year-old is planted on permanent place into the garden in such a way that the main (skeletal) branches of the first tier of the future tree (no more than three) are located at an angle of 30-45° to the row line. In the spring of the first year, carefully monitor the angles of separation of the branches from the central conductor (50-55°) and the angles of their divergence (90-120°). To do this, use spacers and twine. Briefly, the competitor, if any, is shortened by 4-5 buds; later (after 1-2 years) it is removed.

The first minimal pruning of planted trees is carried out in early spring, in the second year of planting, in order to subordinate the branches.

Pruning begins with least developed branch chosen as the main one in the lower tier. They are cut to 1/4-1/3 of its length, so that it is at least 40 cm. The remaining branches of the first tier are cut at the same level. Particular attention is paid to the choice of the bud along which the cut is made. Pruning technique is equally important. Varieties with a pyramidal crown are pruned to a bud located with outside, and with a spreading one - on a bud located inside.

The cut is made above the selected bud, leaving a spine 1.5-2 cm long, which in 1-2 growing season will dry out and fall off. This is how we guarantee kidney safety, from which a continuation shoot grows during the growing season, which is not always achieved when cutting directly above the bud. This rule only applies when pruning annual shoots.

They often resort to another technique. Varieties with a pyramidal crown (Northern Sinap, Anise etc.) in spite of everything, they are pruned to a bud located inside the crown, and the next year they are pruned to a shoot that has grown from a bud located outside, thereby achieving the greatest effect in opening the crown.

In varieties with a wide crown ( Pepin Shafranny, Berkutovskoe, Zhigulevskoe etc.) on the contrary: first, the cut is made on the outer bud, and then on the shoot that has grown inward, achieving a more compact structure of the tree crown. The central conductor is cut 15-25 cm above the level of the branches in the tier. The predominance of the conductor is less in varieties with a spreading crown, and greater in those with a pyramidal crown.

Center conductor cut carried out over a well-developed bud, located in such a way that the continuation shoot that grows from it further ensures its straightness, preventing or correcting its curvature.

All other branches not selected as the main ones are under no circumstances removed and, as a rule, are not cut short, but are left in the tree, but are not given the opportunity to compete in growth strength with the main branches. For this purpose, various techniques for reducing branch growth: increasing the angle of deviation from the central conductor by tying it with twine to a horizontal position, weaving them together, placing them under a stronger branch, deformation (careful repeated bending of the branch until the wood crunches and the bark slightly ruptures).

These temporary branches are needed to quickly increase the area of ​​leaves on the tree, which will contribute to the better development of the young tree and its rapid entry into fruiting. The first fruits will be obtained precisely on weakly growing branches, which are covered with short branches turning into fruit formations (rings, spears, fruit twigs).

The twine used for shaping is tied on the branches and trunk of the tree in a figure eight to prevent them from becoming overtightened, and after 1.5-2 months or even next year, it is removed. Over the next 5-6 years, and sometimes more, the crown of the tree continues to be formed annually, maintaining the subordination of the branches among themselves and with the central conductor, trying, if possible, to withstand the requirements sparsely-tiered crown.

Angles of departure of the main skeletal branches: 1 - unacceptable: too sharp an angle (less than 45°);
2 - permissible angle (45°); 3 - good angle (60°); 4 - permissible, right angle; 5 - unacceptable obtuse angle

Depending on the chosen planting scheme (nutrition area), the crown of an adult tree can have from 4 to 6 main branches.

It is advisable to place rows of trees on seed (vigorous) rootstocks at a distance of 6 m, and between trees in a row - 3.5 m. Deviations of 1 m in the distance between rows and 0.5 m between trees are possible, of course, in the direction of decreasing or increase. At small power area form 4 main branches, with a large one - 5-6 branches, which have a strong but uniform development in length (3-3.5 m) and thickness equal to 0.5 of the thickness of the Central conductor.

On the main branches they form a large number of semi-skeletal branches, placing them 30-40 cm apart from each other, in pairs or singly, in a position close to horizontal, 1-1.5 m long. The same branches are formed on the central conductor. They quickly become covered with small overgrowing branches, lay fruit buds and promote increased fruiting.

In the future, when the crown thickens (after 10 years), they can be gradually thin out. The lower tier is laid from 2 branches, the subsequent main branches are placed as follows: the third branch, or the second tier of 2 branches, can be laid at a distance of 60 cm from the lower tier, and the subsequent ones with an interval of 30-40 cm - sparsely. The upper branches are placed above the lower ones, maintaining sufficient divergence angles.

In order to subordinate the branches, all main branches are shortened annually at the same level (by 1/3 of the length of the weakest of them), and the central conductor is given an advantage of 20-25 cm, in order to avoid its extinction.

On the main branches and directly on the central conductor, semi-skeletal branches are formed by bringing them into a horizontal position, and only in exceptional cases by pruning.

Crown formation The trees are continued until the upper 5th or 6th branch deviates from the central conductor by 1-1.5 m. This can happen in 6-8 years, depending on the growing conditions. After this, the central conductor is cut out above the last branch (at a height of 1.6-1.8 m) in order to open and lighten the crown. The cut is made with a “protective link”, i.e. leave part of the removed branch (equal to approximately 10 times its thickness) with a small twig.

1-2 years after the thickening of the main branch above which the conductor is removed, the “protective link” is cut into a ring. At the “protective link” during the growing season, shoots emerging from dormant buds in a green (non-lignified) form are removed in order to prevent their increased growth, and therefore even greater thickening and shading of the crown in subsequent years.

During the fruiting period, annual growth is monitored and if it decreases to 25-30 cm, rejuvenating pruning for 2-3 year old wood, i.e. on wood of the year when the annual growth was at least 40 cm. The cut is made in the lower part of the strong growth on the branch. This is done to ensure that there is always sufficiently good vegetative growth on the tree crown, which guarantees the establishment of new fruit formations and further harvests of high-quality fruits.

Thus, pruning of a young tree before it begins to bear fruit is carried out systematically, annually, but minimally, only for the purpose of subordinating the branches. Other methods of crown formation without the use of cutting tool(garter, weaving, bending branches, pinching and removing green shoots). This allows you to avoid excessive height of the tree during the period of full fruiting.

Formative pruning of young apple trees is carried out in early spring (March). It is harmful to carry it out in late spring (April, May), since the budding upper buds are removed, which weakens the tree and retards its growth and development. The cuts are cleaned with a garden knife and covered with garden varnish.

Classification sparsely - tiered system formation of fruit trees

It is used on all fruit trees, on seed (vigorous) and medium-growing (clonal, dusen - M - 4, M - 2 and other rootstocks). Such a crown of fruit trees is formed from 5 - 7 skeletal branches of the first order.

On a young fruit tree seedling, a 60 cm area of ​​the trunk is left and 2 - 3 branches are laid in the lower tier, which grew from adjacent buds, evenly spaced with divergence angles of 120 - 180 cm. Sometimes 4 branches of the first order are left in the first tier, since they could grow through a bud and will have divergence angles of 90 0 C.

The following skeletal branches are laid in the second tier. The distance between the first and second tiers is 50 - 60 cm for low-growing fruit trees and for vigorous ones - 80 cm. The branches in the second tier are placed one from the other at a distance of at least 20 cm; they should evenly fill the volume of the crown of the fruit tree.

The fruit tree must have good illumination; second-order branches are laid only on first-order branches located in first tier. They are laid in 2 - 3 branches, and the first of them should be no closer than 40 cm from the central conductor, the other two (at the same distance) - grown from the side branches on the continuation shoot.

Between the tiers of skeletal branches of the fruit tree along the central conductor and between the branches of the second order, auxiliary, weaker shoots are left after 20 - 40 cm, which carry overgrown fruit branches. The formation of fruit trees using this method takes 4 to 5 years.

All shoots of continuation of skeletal branches of fruit trees and the central conductor are annually shortened by 1/3 - 1/4 of their length. Thanks to this technique, the buds on the extension shoots in the zone 20 - 25 cm below the cut germinate together, and therefore it is easier to select and place branches in the crown.

You should not get carried away with shortening the branches of fruit trees, otherwise you may delay the fruiting of the entire tree.

This method of pruning fruit trees is forced.

When forming any crown of fruit trees, it is important to observe the principle of subordination of branches. It is unacceptable when the upper branches, being under acute angle to the central conductor, adjacent branches and branches of the lower tier are oppressed. There are several ways to balance them in growth. Choose departure angles of at least 45 - 50 0 C, or correct them with spacers, braces, or best of all, cut them to a side branch so that the upper branches are slightly weaker and shorter than the branches of the first tier.

After the formation of the fruit tree crown skeleton is completed, its height should be:

On vigorous rootstock(SKS) - 4 - 4.5 m;

On medium height (M - 4, MM - 106, etc.) - 3 - 3.5 m;

On dwarf rootstocks - M - 26, M - 9 - 2.5 m.

In order to achieve the specified parameters, already from the 7th - 8th year it is necessary to shorten the corresponding lateral branches of fruit trees.

The width of the crown of the fruit tree should be such that the light corridor between the rows remains at least 2 m, with a gap between the trees in the row of 0.3 - 0.4 m.

Formation of a sparsely layered crown in fruit trees

Varieties of apple trees grafted on semi-dwarf and sapling rootstocks and pear trees on quince A grow stronger than apple trees on paradise and pear trees on quince C. Therefore, their crowns thicken and require more thinning. The later entry into the fruiting season of trees on semi-dwarf and medium-sized rootstocks makes it possible to extend the period of formation in time. For fruit trees of this type, a sparsely layered crown should be recommended. It was developed at VNIIS named after. I.V. Michurina. Its essence boils down to the fact that three skeletal branches formed from adjacent buds are formed on the tree in the lower tier, and then a new tier of two or three branches is laid in the garden after 40-50 cm. It is better if the branches of the second tier are placed sparsely (through 1-2 buds). The distance between tiers in a continental climate can be reduced to 20-30 cm, and in the south increased to 60-70 cm. Then 1-2 more skeletal branches are laid sparsely at intervals of 15-25 cm. As soon as 5-6 skeletal branches are formed , the conductor is strongly depressed, or transferred to the side branch.

If orchard laid down annual seedlings, then in the year of planting they are pruned in the same way as when laying a tiered crown. Formation begins in the second year after planting, when good growth appears. Then they carry out similar works, which are performed with planted two-year-olds.

When releasing seedlings from the nursery, you should not limit the number of lateral branches, let there be 4-6 or even more. This will make it possible to select the three most promising branches in the garden. They will subsequently ensure the creation of a strong tree skeleton. The rest should not be deleted, as is sometimes recommended. It is better to shorten them by 4-6 buds (12-15 cm). If one of the three branches breaks, you can always select a replacement from trimmed branches. A powerful growth located next to the conductor (competitor) should also not be cut out in the first years, so as not to weaken the conductor. It is severely suppressed from year to year and only removed after 2-3 years.

The branches intended for the crown skeleton are cut weaker, by about ¼-1/3 of their length, and in order to ensure their proportional growth, they proceed in the same way as when forminglayered crown: strong ones cut more, weak ones cut very little or not at all. Take care of regulating strength and the direction of their growth.

In the year of planting, the growth is weak, so the laying of subsequent branches can only begin in the spring of the second year. For this purpose, the conductor is shortened at a height of 50-60 cm. If the branches of the first tier turn out to be very weak or the conductor has not reached the proper height, the laying of subsequent branches is postponed for a year. In the south, where growth is most intense, branches are laid at 60-70 cm intervals and the conductor is cut at a height of 70-80 cm from the first tier. In harsh areas, the distance between the tiers is reduced to 20-30 cm and the conductor is cut by 30-40 cm. In the upper part of the conductor, after pruning, several shoots appear, of which 2-3 are selected that are well located in space, and the rest are pinched. In subsequent years (3-4th) the conductor is shortened so that another 1-2 branches can be laid at intervals of 20-25 cm. When 5-6 skeletal branches have been laid, the conductor is transferred to a side branch.

Branches of the second order begin to form on well-formed branches of the first order, usually in the third year after planting. To do this, pour 50-60 cm from the trunk and cut them off, which makes it possible to obtain branches at a distance of approximately 40-50 cm from the central conductor (10-12 cm area where lateral branches are formed). Depending on the branching ability of the variety, 2-4 strong and several shortened shoots may form below the cut point. Of these, one is selected for the skeletal branch of the second order, and the rest are suppressed in the summer by pinching, pruning in the spring of next year, or bending back. A year later, using the same principle, a second skeletal branch is laid at a distance of 30-40 cm from the first. In one year it is impossible to lay two branches of the second order on one skeletal branch; for this purpose, good growth it will take 2 years. In the process of forming a sparsely layered crown of fruit trees, pruning should also be reduced to the minimum necessary to create skeletal branches.

Branches of the second order must be formed due to increments located on the sidesskeletal bitch. If for this purpose a branch is taken from the underside of the main branch, it can subsequently easily break off under the weight of the harvest, since with the load the point of application of force will be at the place where the branches of the first and second orders grow together. If the branch is located on the side, then under the weight of the crop it will bend (spring) and will not break off.

To form second-order branches, it is impossible to select increments located with inside skeletal bitch, as this will lead to strong and unnecessary thickening of the crown. Second order branches in the tree crown should not intertwine. It is advisable to choose them so that the first of them are all located on the right or left side, and the second are also directed in one direction, the opposite.

In order not to create an excessively thickened crown, it is enough to lay two skeletal branches on the branches of the first order. The rest are converted by pruning into semi-skeletal (100-120 cm long) and shortened branches for fruiting.

The formation of a sparsely layered crown of fruit trees usually takes 5-6 years, and when poor care and poor growth 7 years. Thus, by the beginning of fruiting, the main operations on the formation of fruit trees are completed.