Rules for modern pruning systems

9 June 2013 | AgFirst | Future Orchards® webinar

This Future Orchards® webinar presents a rules-based approach to modern pome-fruit pruning. The emphasis is on simplifying pruning so crews can repeat the same logic from tree to tree while still working toward the block’s yield, vigour and canopy targets.

Modern pruning systems generally aim for calm, well-lit trees with simple fruiting units, limited structural complexity and enough separation between branches to maintain light penetration. Upright and overly vigorous wood is removed or managed so the canopy remains fruitful rather than vegetative.

A rules-based system also makes supervision easier. Growers can define what should be removed, what should be retained and how many fruiting units are required, then check the result against crop-load and production targets.

The webinar is best used alongside the June 2012 and June 2013 pruning notes and case studies, which show how these principles can be translated into measurable orchard targets.