The most important types of pruning in tree care include thinning pruning. Various factors determine the right time, such as plant species, habitus, sensitivity to cutting, flowering or harvest time. The correct procedure, on the other hand, follows a consistent pattern, regardless of whether it is a shrub or a treetop. These instructions explain how to professionally thin out an ornamental and fruit tree.
What is the purpose of a thinning cut and how is it carried out?
The thinning cut promotes airy and light-flooded growth in ornamental and fruit trees by removing dead wood, steeply upward and closely spaced shoots. Branches should be cut to Astring and damage to neighboring shoots should be avoided.
What is the aim of the thinning cut?
Over time, an impenetrable tangle of old and young shoots forms in an uncut shrub or tree. The branches shade each other, which hinders vital photosynthesis. The denser the growth of the shoots, the more fiercely they fight for water, nutrients and light. Sterile branches without flower buds have the say here because they invest their energy in vigorous longitudinal growth. The consequences are premature aging, stunted growth of flowers and fruits and unbridled outward spread. Furthermore, pathogens and pests have an easy time in weakened trees.
A thinning cut effectively prevents problems. With the help of strategically clever pruning, you can ensurelight-flooded and airy growth and promote a balanced ratio of branches, leaves, flowers and fruits. The result is a vital and resistant plant in which pathogens have a bad hand. Due to this objective, the type of cut is also known as maintenance cut.
Which shoots are thinned out?
The thinning cut targets all shoots that are detrimental to vitality and shape. The following shoots are a case for saws or scissors:
- Dead wood of all branch categories and shoot types
- Step upward or inward branches
- Remove the weaker one from two shoots that are too close together
- On refined ornamental and fruit trees, all wild shoots emerging from the rootstock
Numerous shrubs benefit from thinning, which results in continuous rejuvenation. For this purpose, two to four of the oldest ground shoots are thinned out every year from the fifth year onwards. Pruning at ground level stimulates the growth of new branches that sprout directly from the roots.
What should you pay attention to when making the cut?
The thinning cut focuses primarily on the complete removal of dead and unwanted shoots in bushes and treetops. The aim of the cut is not to damage neighboring branches. You can do this by cutting each shoot to a string. The bead that is located in the transition from the branch to the parent branch or trunk is called an astring. How to do it right:
- Sharpen and disinfect cutting tools
- Start on the top of the branch and cut or saw in one pass
- Smooth the edges of the wound with a clean, sharp knife
- On ground shoots of bushes, place the scissors or saw just above the roots
If you cannot see a branch when clearing out a tree crown, make sure that the bark is not injured when making the cut. If you cut or saw at a slight angle downwards and outwards, rainwater can drain away more easily from the cut.
Tip
If a thinning cut goes far beyond the removal of individual branches, legal regulations come into play. The Federal Nature Conservation Act stipulates that extensive pruning of trees is limited to the period from October 1st to March 1st. During this grace period, it must be ensured in advance that there are no hibernating wild animals in the bush or tree.
