The most important work for all amateur gardeners begins in March.
Any summer resident knows that if you do not prune fruit trees, then over time due to the large number of branches the yield decreases, and the fruits themselves become smaller. But often because of the fear of harming the fruiting trees if they are not trimmed correctly, many summer residents do not cut their trees at all. This fear of lack of knowledge. Below are described in detail all the advantages of spring pruning.
In autumn, the trees are already in a state of deep dormancy. Any damage to the bark leads to the fact that the wounds do not heal even after the onset of flowering.
The best term for pruning fruit trees
The best term for pruning fruit trees begins in mid-March and lasts almost until mid-May. Spring is the time after winter awakening, when the most active growth and regeneration of plants occurs.
But, if a forecast is given about the onset of frost earlier than after 2 weeks, pruning is undesirable. Because of frost, deep freezing of the soil occurs, or, in another way, the frosty withering of the cut. This fact must be taken into account even in May.
Trees can be cut with a pruner, a hacksaw, a saw, a garden knife “crooked”. You will also need a stepladder (ladder) for trimming tall trees. Before starting work, you need to sharpen the tools and, of course, check their serviceability for a better job. When trimming with these tools, you should always remember the safety precautions. When pruning a branch, it is better to keep the pruner with the blade away from you.
Suitable tool: garden knife or pruner
In order to perform high-quality cutting, you need to choose the right tools. Now in specialized stores, garden centers there are a huge number of them. But which instrument should I prefer? To all the well-known old secateurs or new-fangled little-known novelties?
Secateurs need to be selected from high-quality and lightweight materials so that the hand does not get tired quickly during the work. Slices are always made towards the base of the branch. Secateurs are very convenient to remove thin shoots. However, smoother cuts are obtained with a garden knife. But it turns out to work more slowly than with the same secateurs when cutting branches. Gardeners and gardeners prefer the pruner to the same garden shears for pruning branches, although when pruning branches it happens that it partially crushes the branches.
There are different techniques and methods for slicing.
Kidney cut
The cut cannot be done high, but also can not be done close to the place of attachment of the kidney. The slice must be performed at an angle. It should pass just above the top of the kidney.
Stopping the whole branch
It is better to cut small branches with secateurs, and cut thick branches with a saw or hacksaw. When cutting thick branches, it is recommended to retreat 1 m from the base, and make an incision from the bottom, approximately retreating to half the diameter of the branch. Having departed from the first cut by 15-20 cm, we make a second cut from above. Cut each branch “to the ring” - this is the main rule of pruning. But when cutting, hemp can remain, because of this a hollow can form. If the hollow has nevertheless formed, it must be thoroughly cleaned from the inside and treated with special equipment.
Slicing
It is possible to process damaged surfaces of cuts with var, oil paint. Sections should be tried to smear with a thin layer of var. Otherwise, it will hang and roll to shreds. Rough sections can be smoothed with a sharp knife. This will save wood, prevent decay and the establishment of various insect pests. Wounds less than 1 cm do not need to be covered.
Pruning trees in March is very beneficial for trees and beneficial for their owners. Such simple methods of pruning and processing trees will help to accelerate their fruiting. On horizontal, neatly trimmed branches, the harvest of the next season is much more actively laid. In addition, the trees are lower and spreading, so caring for them becomes much easier and more convenient.
