Pruning is an important agricultural practice that regulates fruiting, development, timing of appearance and quality of fruits. Proper hazel pruning influences the early development of young branches bearing fruit buds in spring, the onset of flowering, and determines the timing of shoot growth. These factors contribute to increased yields of the tree, which produces delicious nuts—hazelnuts.
Pruning after planting
The purpose of pruning is to create a sparse crown for better light and air penetration. This encourages the growth of new branches covering the skeletal branches. There are two types of pruning:
- post-landing;
- formative (annual).
Post-planting pruning is necessary to restore the balance between the hazel's upper part and the root system, which was damaged during transplantation. After this, the crown is formed. Pruning for 7-8 days slows the tree's growth. If the seedling has a weak root system, the aboveground part should be trimmed as much as possible. This promotes the growth of strong roots.
You may be interested in:According to the shape, pruning comes in two types:
- tree;
- bush.
Forming a tree as a tree allows for more hazel to be planted in a small area. It's easier to maintain, and thanks to good air access to the crown, fruiting begins earlier. A 35-38 cm trunk is formed, with 6-7 healthy primary branches, which are shaped into a cup. Pruning occurs during the final flowering stage. The tree can be left at 2-2.3 m tall. Lateral branches are pruned back to 4-5 buds. As a result, the tree reaches a maximum height of 3 meters and consists of 10-14 branches.
Bush-shaped shaping is more natural and often used. Hazelnuts grow freely in all directions. Timely thinning is key. The downside is the inconvenience of harvesting the nuts. The nuts are left on the tree until they can be shaken off. Shaping begins once the seedling has established rooting. Young trees are pruned to the 7th or 8th bud or to a height of 15-17 cm. This stimulates the bush to form lateral branches and develop a larger root system.
During the initial formation stage, select 6-7 well-developed shoots located on opposite sides. Shorten strong side branches to 3-4 buds. Prune the ends of the main branches to 1/3 of their annual growth if they have grown significantly, and 1/2 of their annual growth if they have grown weakly, down to the outward-facing branch. Dense bushes consisting of 13-14 trunks produce a small yield of low-quality nuts.
You may be interested in:The role of pruning for hazel
Hazelnuts grow quickly, so pruning is essential for good fruiting. Once established, the bush should be shaped and trimmed annually. It's important to remember that most female flower buds grow at the tips of newly formed branches. Therefore, only diseased or dead branches should be removed from properly positioned branches.
Root suckers, which continually form, should be carefully pruned at the base to avoid disturbing the fruiting branches. They are cut off at the ground in the spring. A 7-9-year-old bush will produce 7-8 main shoots; a 9-year-old bush will produce 11-12 shoots. With proper cultivation practices and careful pruning, a hazel tree can bear fruit for up to 80 years or more.
You may be interested in:Properly planned fruit bush placement ensures maximum sunlight exposure. Proper pruning is essential, both in the fall and throughout the rest of the growth cycle, both at the beginning of development and later. Careful maintenance and timely application of mineral fertilizers are essential. In return, the grateful hazelnut bush will yield aromatic and delicious hazelnuts.