In the pruning care of fruit trees, every gardener will sooner or later be confronted with the requirements of fruit wood cutting. This guide explains the specific meaning of the term for private fruit growing using a practice-oriented definition. Benefit from helpful tips for expert cutting.
What is a fruit woodcut and when is it done?
Fruit pruning is a targeted pruning measure on fruit trees of productive age in order to remove worn fruit shoots and promote young fruit wood. The procedure varies depending on the type of fruit and tree type. Expect the first fruit pruning for standard trees in the 6th year and for spindles in the 2nd to 3rd year after planting.
Fruit woodcut – definition with explanations
Targeted pruning measure on fruit trees of productive age for the purpose of exchanging old, worn fruit shoots and young fruit wood.
If the pruning of fruit trees goes as desired, the pruning care results in regular fruit wood pruning. This phase of pruning care begins when all of the framework-forming branch categories have developed. Strong leading branches with vital side shoots have developed on the extension of the trunk, on which the hoped-for fruit wood with flowers and fruits forms every year. In combination with a thinning cut, the fruit woodcut lays the basis for a continuous rotation between worn and young, fruit-bearing branches.
Handling fruit wood cuttings properly – tips for cutting
On a majestic standard apple tree, a fruit woodcut comes into focus in the sixth year at the earliest. Under ideal conditions, a small spindle tree enters this phase of pruning care in its second or third year. Some types of fruit require pruning every year, whereas for other fruit trees it needs to be noted on the calendar every 4 to 6 years. Across species and varieties, the illustration below symbolizes the expert fruit woodcut using the example of an apple tree:
Fruit wood is not static and forever young on any fruit tree, but is constantly in motion. In its youth it grows upright, flowers and bears fruit. As the fruit progresses, the fruit wood bends downward under the weight of its sweet load. According to the laws of growth, new, upward-facing wood sprouts from it and the process of rotation repeats itself.
Tip
Do not cut valuable fruit wood just anywhere, but according to the rules of derivation cutting. As the illustration below shows, shorten an outdated fruit shoot at the branch to an upright, younger branch.
Old fruit wood is always derived from younger wood.
