Water shoots are usually unwelcome growths on the wood that prove to be detrimental. But under certain circumstances, removal only makes sense in part, because there is a mysterious power in the shoots.
When and how should water shoots be removed?
Water shoots should be removed between mid-May and June 24th to avoid further stressing the tree. The best method is the June crack: cut the bark below the base of the shoot, grab the water shoot at the base and pull it off with a jerk downwards.
Why remove water shoots?
Fruit trees tend to form vertical shoots on strong and thick branches. These water shoots emerge from dormant eyes, also known as adventitious buds. Flowers and fruits normally do not form here during the growing season. Nevertheless, these additional shoots rob the trees of nutrients that they lack for the development of their fruits in the crown area.
The right time
The earlier in the year you remove the water shoots, the better and faster the tree can regenerate. However, you should not remove them before the Ice Saints in mid-May. The latest date is June 24th at the start of summer, as removal becomes increasingly difficult as the season progresses. Removal during the winter months is also not recommended as this will encourage the tree to develop additional shoots.
Recommended approach
The so-called June crack does not require any additional tools and offers two advantages. Woody plants usually close crack wounds more quickly than cuts. Since with this method the branch ring comes loose along with the dividing tissue and eyelets, no further water shoots can form at this point.
How to do it right:
- Cut the bark below the base of the shoot
- Grab water shot at base
- pull off vertically downwards with a jerk
By making the incision, you prevent larger pieces of bark from getting stuck on the shoot while it is being torn off. For neglected fruit trees that have already developed countless of these unwanted shoots, you sometimes have to use a saw (€45.00 on Amazon). Do not cut off too many branches at once, otherwise the tree will have difficulty recovering.
Water shots as an opportunity
If your fruit tree has never really borne fruit, water shoots can help. To encourage the branches to produce flowers and fruit, you must bend them diagonally downwards and tie them to a branch underneath. This so-called juice scale is used more often in fruit growing because only sloping branches bear fruit.