Rowan pruning.

Many gardeners who do not have the practice of growing mountain ash have doubts about the need to prune a tree, because there are many clear examples that mountain ash can grow and bear fruit without anyone's participation. It should be noted that mountain ash is also a fruit tree and it needs pruning to increase the yield of berries. And if mountain ash is grown exclusively for decorative purposes, then a beautifully formed tree will only decorate the garden plot.

In addition, timely and correct pruning of mountain ash is the prevention of diseases that have such consequences as a decrease in yield and decorativeness of the tree.

Timing of pruning.

Depending on the age of the tree, as well as the goals of pruning, the timing of its implementation is different.

So, the pruning of young mountain ash is advised to be carried out immediately after planting, in the first place it is important for the formation of the crown.

It is preferable to prune mature trees during the summer season. In this case, the cuts made are tightened much faster, which reduces the risk of contamination of rowan with various viruses, infections that affect wood tissue and tree bark. Practicing gardeners also note that summer pruning is more effective than when it is carried out in the spring.

Experts advise pruning rowan trees in good weather, on a warm and dry day, since there is a high probability of avoiding infection of the tree with fungal infections, which spread rather quickly in conditions of high humidity.

After pruning, it is necessary to immediately process the cuts using garden varnish or water-based paint. Some gardeners additionally apply fungicide solutions to the sections. If the cut is not processed, it is fraught with infection with various infections, which in the future can provoke tree necrosis and its death. In order for the cut to tighten faster, it is important that it is even and smooth.

Most often, the following scheme is used to trim rowan. The lower tier of branches is cut so that the height of the trunk is 30 - 60 cm. The pruning is carried out on a ring, that is, almost to the base, or, more precisely, to an influx of annular shape. If necessary, the skeletal branches are pruned, subordinating them to the guide and equalizing with other branches. The central tree conductor should rise 25-30 cm above the upper tier of the branches.

Annual tree pruning involves cutting off unnecessary shoots, young shoots, removing old branches that are no longer fruiting, but only hinder the development of the tree by taking food.

In the autumn season, mountain ash requires more care, involving the adoption of preventive measures to prevent diseases, as well as aimed at increasing yields in the next season. Rowan, like most trees, grows more actively in spring, and in summer its growth slows down a little. Starting in September, the mountain ash gradually plunges into a state of dormancy, which finally comes in November. In the fall, it is not recommended to feed mountain ash with nitrogen-containing fertilizers, since their action is aimed at the growth of the green mass, and before the imminent onset of the dormant period, this is useless. During this period, pruning of mountain ash is also not desirable, since such a procedure will also contribute to the growth and development of the tree. In addition, the cuts made during the autumn pruning do not have time to quickly tighten, and the tree may freeze out.

When the winter is warm and severe cold weather is no longer expected, you can start trimming rowan in February.However, in this case, she will be very moderate and gentle. Such pruning can be applied to two or four year old trees. Pruning of younger, as well as older trees, it is better to leave at the end of spring - early summer. In a number of regions, towards the end of winter, pruning of other fruit trees, such as apple, pear, is also begun, and after a while apricot, plum and peach are pruned.

Some varieties of mountain ash are very vulnerable to various diseases, so they are recommended to be pruned exclusively in summer.

Rules and methods for cutting rowan.

The intensity of tree pruning is, of course, related to its age.

So, after planting, a young tree is immediately thinned out quite strongly, paying special attention to those shoots that grow at an acute angle. This must be done precisely in the first season, because, during the season, they will stretch out, and will create inconveniences in the formation of the crown. In addition, branches located in this way can easily break under the weight of the berries, injuring the mountain ash and slowing down its development.

Before proceeding with pruning, the mountain ash is examined, choosing the highest and thickest branch - it will be the central conductor. Lateral shoots are trimmed so that from one to three buds remain on them. These shoots will start growing actively next spring. It is also necessary to remove all small branches, shoots located on the trunk.

It should be noted that pruning only the planted tree also allows you to restore the balance between its roots and the aboveground part. So, when digging out a seedling, its roots are injured, respectively, a decrease in the volume of the crown, by cutting it, allows you to reduce the load on the damaged root system. As a result, the plant takes root faster and starts active growth.

In the future, over the course of three, four years, pruning of a young tree will be moderate. So, it will be necessary to cut out new shoots located close to the ground, branches that grow inside the crown, as well as shoots affected by diseases or pests. It is important not to rush to prune branches that develop parallel to the center conductor. In some cases, they develop and grow faster, therefore, they may well be left in case it is necessary to replace the center conductor.

Intensive pruning of a young tree is not carried out also for the reason that it entails a decrease in the number of flower buds, and, therefore, a low yield of the tree.

Some gardeners prefer to postpone pruning saplings in order to harvest the berries. This is possible when the plant is planted in fertile soil and its moderate moisture is provided. Branches growing at an acute angle should not be cut, they are carefully bent and fixed in the desired position. As a result, the harvest from a two-year-old seedling can be harvested the next year after planting.

Pruning a mature tree that is more than five years old is more time consuming. In order to rejuvenate the tree, side branches are removed, those that have ceased to bear fruit, or bring an insignificant harvest. The old branches are shortened significantly - by a meter, one and a half, thus stimulating the appearance of new young shoots. No more than a third of the old branches must be pruned, otherwise it will negatively affect the yield of the tree. Also, branches that are more than four years old are completely cut off.

Pruning of mature trees begins with the largest and thickest branches of the crown. Removing them will also contribute to uniform illumination of the entire tree. If there is a need to reduce the height of the crown, the upper part can be cut off. Some gardeners cut the crown off each year because it is much easier to maintain and remove berries from a short tree.

After removing the large branches, they proceed to pruning small branches.Cut branches growing inside the crown, intersecting, located close to each other.

After such a pruning of the crown, the mountain ash will noticeably thin out. However, during the summer period, the tree will quickly gain green mass and restore its decorative appearance.

The growing popularity among gardeners is gaining such a way of forming a tree as pruning mountain ash according to the principle of a dwarf pyramid. As a result of such pruning, the crown of the tree becomes like a Christmas tree. This method of crown formation is also called a spindle. It is especially recommended by specialists for fruit trees such as pear, apple, plum and cherry. This pruning principle allows you to reduce the size of the crown and, thereby, place more trees on the site. For this reason, it is in great demand in industrial horticulture.

Pruning according to this principle is carried out as follows. First, the upper part of the trunk is shortened so that the distance to the upper branches is no more than 40 cm. It is necessary to cut the branch above the bud, placing the cutting tool diagonally. Then a stem is formed by removing those branches that grow at a height of less than 50 cm from the soil surface. Lateral shoots are shortened, approximately, by one fourth. The exception, of course, are branches that have any damage.

The next pruning option, also on the principle of a dwarf pyramid, is aimed at stimulating the growth of lateral branches. In this case, the distance from the top to the first branch is no more than 20 cm. From the bottom of the trunk, all branches growing at a height of less than 50 cm from the soil are also removed. In order to activate the growth of lateral shoots, the tree is cut at a height of 90 cm from the ground. In late May - early June, pegs are installed along the perimeter of the crown. Then, the side branches are exposed at the desired angle and tied to the pegs. In order for the branches to quickly form the correct angle, from mid-June to the end of summer on the shoots, the length of which is 40-50 cm and additional weights of 200-300 grams are hung. Formative pruning continues for the next two years.

It should be noted that a tree formed according to this principle has a good yield and can withstand heavy loads.

Errors made during trimming.

Among the most common mistakes made when pruning mountain ash, first of all, one should indicate not the removal of branches that grow at an acute angle. Leaving such shoots is fraught with serious injury to the tree.

Also, quite often, in addition to the central conductor, several more large parallel growing branches are left. Competing with the main trunk, such branches take up a significant amount of food, which negatively affects the growth and development of the tree as a whole. The optimal number of main vertical shoots on a bush should be no more than 3 or 5.

It is not always correct to make a cut and carry out its processing. Thus, a correct cut assumes a smooth surface. In this case, it tightens much faster, and, thereby, the likelihood of penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the wound is reduced. Therefore, to carry out trimming, you need to stock up on various well-sharpened tools. Small branches can be removed with a pruner, larger ones need to be cut down with a garden saw or hacksaw. Very thick and large branches, right, first, saw down from below, and then, finish off from above. This method will prevent the formation of bark chips and scuffing of branches.

It is also important that the cut relative to the roots of the tree is made at a 45 degree angle.

Also, immediately after cutting the branch, it is necessary to process the cut point. In addition to garden varnish and paint, you can also use special ointments such as Funaben 03 PA. This drug already contains a systemic fungicide and significantly accelerates the healing of slices.

Councils to gardeners.

If the mountain ash has stopped growing, then in the spring, before the start of sap flow, the top of the crown should be partially cut off. This pruning will encourage the growth of the side branches. In addition, you need to prevent the tree from forming inflorescences and fruits, so that all the nutrients are directed to its growth.

In some cases, regular feeding does not bring the expected effect. This can happen when the tree has a weak root. Experts recommend, if possible, dig up the tree and cut off part of the root. After that, the roots will begin to grow, and a powerful and branched root system will be able to absorb a larger amount of essential nutrients and elements.

If there is a need, on the contrary, to stop the active growth of the tree, then it is enough to carry out summer pruning of mountain ash.

In the spring, pruning of mountain ash, like other fruit trees, is carried out strictly before the beginning of sap flow and swelling of the buds.

Conclusion

In general, tree pruning is not difficult. And if rowan grows on your site, then this procedure should not be neglected any more.

Indeed, in addition to preserving the decorative appearance and increasing the yield of berries, this will prevent other fruit trees from being damaged by various diseases and pests.

When neglected, the tree becomes a breeding ground for disease and insect pests. Sometimes, it is extremely difficult to get rid of both of them, and in some, especially neglected cases, it is impossible.

During the annual pruning of a tree, attention is paid to the state of the trunk, the presence of traces of the presence of pests that settle in the bark, and, in the future, penetrate the wood, infecting it with pathogenic microorganisms that cause tree necrosis. Removing young growth, along the way, they remove fallen leaves, where, in the overwhelming majority of cases, pathogens of various fungal infections "live".

Not too frequent and laborious work on tree care will help maintain the health of the orchard, which, in return, will delight you with a rich harvest.