When most people think of pruning, they picture altering the structure of a tree so that it can better fit a different form or design. On the other hand, this is not the situation. “Tree training” refers to the process of making changes to the structure of a tree. Developing an alternative form for your tree in this manner is a significantly more effective approach. The practice of pruning is recommended for the purpose of preventing diseases, preventing lopsidedness, and encouraging the growth of healthier fruit.
The shape of the tree can also be maintained through pruning to keep it in its ideal form. For instance, if there is an abundance of branches on one side of the tree, you can use pruning to remove the larger segments that are causing the tree to lean to one side. This can be accomplished by cutting off the larger segments. Maintaining rather than changing should be the primary focus of your thinking here. Pruning may have its place from time to time, but in most cases, you will find that training is a better option that is also healthier and more productive.
Training has been around for a relatively short period of time. One can direct the growth of the tree to take whatever shape they want by tying down branches or propping them up from the ground. This can be done in order to give the tree a specific shape. This theory is typically implemented during the early stages of the tree in an effort to encourage the tree to develop to its full potential. You will save yourself a significant amount of time in the future when it comes to pruning if you guide the tree and get it off to a good start.
In most cases, training will take place during the summer months. You make an effort to reroute the branches rather than simply cutting off all of the ones that aren’t heading in the right direction. The mechanisms that you use can be compared to the orthodontic braces that would be placed on your fruit trees. They act like teeth, pulling or pushing the branches in the direction you want them to go in whatever way you choose. As a result of your training, eventually, they will grow in that direction naturally.
It can be challenging to settle on a specific method for training your tree. There is a wide variety of options available in terms of forms and shapes. Some are designed to support a high number of trees in a single orchard, while others are intended to produce the most fruit possible from each individual tree. You will need to search for various types of forms in order to find one that is going to be an excellent match for the environment in which your tree is located as well as the function that you want it to serve.
Even if you are growing a tree in its natural form, the theories of training can still be applied to the process. If you want to avoid having to prune the branches in the future, train them to grow in opposite directions when they are young. This will prevent them from growing too close to each other and blocking out the light. Even if you are just growing a tree in your backyard, in an environment that is not considered professional, this is of tremendous benefit to you.
If you want to train a tree, you are going to need some kind of outside brace that can push or pull a branch. You also have the option of inserting something in the space between the two branches or lashing them together with rope in order to achieve the desired effect of moving the branches closer or further apart. A bit of creative thinking is all that is required to successfully train your branches, specifically in determining what to tie things to and what to push things off of. In my experience, using stakes, fences, or even something as simple as an upright two-by-four that is leaning away from the problem can work wonders.
There is not a single person who engages in the practice of tree cultivation who would not profit in some way from receiving some form of training. There is absolutely some way in which training can be useful to you, regardless of whether you have decided to completely transform the appearance of your trees or simply optimize the branch placement in order to produce healthier fruit.
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