Tops on an apple tree - what is it, and when they need to be removed

Lots of hidden buds in trees are necessary for the plant to recover quickly from emergency conditions. Due to each shock in the form of sunburn and frostburn, damage to large branches on the crop, one can often notice the appearance of tops.

Description

Inexperienced gardeners are interested, tops on an apple tree - what it is. They are vertical, rapidly growing shoots. The leaves on them are large enough. Spinning tops grow from dormant buds, often reach up to 200 cm in height, take energy from trees.

This is how tops on an apple tree look like

How to determine that tops have appeared on an apple tree, and how they look

Outwardly, these shoots cannot be confused with other branches. They are powerful shoots with large leaves, elongated internodes. These branches of the apple tree grow straight up.

Tree damage

Tops are formed due to:

• sunburn;
• mechanical damage;
• exposure to frost;
• loss of overall branches;
• failure to apply the necessary procedures for processing large sections.

Bad pruning

Often, young shoots appear on apple trees after incorrectly cut areas on the tree. They are formed:

• If after cutting a branch hemp is formed. In the area of ​​one such element, several fatty shoots can form.
• If, when carrying out radical pruning, the owner lubricates all parts of the crown in one go.

So that after the removal of branches such situations do not arise, it is worth rejuvenating the tree in several stages. In the spring, you need to cut branches from only one part of the crown, starting pruning from the south side, after 4 years - remove the opposite part. It is recommended to treat every small wound in the wood with a garden decoction.

Due to poor-quality pruning, infertile young shoots often grow

Are spinning tops fruit

Fatty shoots begin to grow in a different direction than fruitful ones. They are distinguished by a loose wood structure, they have a shady appearance of leaves.

How to distinguish a fruit branch from a spinning top

Tops have the following features:

• grow rapidly;
• their shoots grow in a vertical direction, if the top is bifurcated, there are horizontal lines;
• there are no fruit-bearing buds on the branches;
• branches are overgrown with fairly large foliage.

What are fat shoots

Many novice gardeners are interested in why the apple tree has thin long branches. Fatty shoots are vertical young twigs. They do not affect fruiting. They can be converted to a different type using various agronomic procedures.

Are they fertile

Top shoots on an apple tree are intended to restore the tree.Due to their active growth, the possibility of fertility is excluded. Fruit buds will not form on them, from which apples may appear in the future.

When tops are pruned on an apple tree

You need to remove them in such cases:

• with the vertical development of fatty branches;
• when the processes are directed to the inner part of the crown;
• if the young crown is overloaded with young shoots.

Pruning time

The gardener must monitor the condition of the trees and do all the necessary procedures on time.

When to leave

On old trees, young shoots are allowed not to be removed in such situations:

• If in the next year the time comes for pruning in order to rejuvenate. At the same time, they should be left to form new fruit branches.
• If necessary, inoculation of a kidney or cuttings of another variety
• If it is necessary to form additional fruit-bearing branches.

With such tasks, the gardener should decide before starting the procedure, which sprouts are best left for future procedures, and which ones will not be needed. Unnecessary vertically growing branches are removed during the next pruning.

What can be made of tops

The gardener should know what tops on fruit trees are and how to take advantage of their appearance.

Form a crown

It is permissible to use young shoots when forming new crowns, but before that you need to prune. Initially, it is worth making notes on the branches that will be needed in the work. Excess tops should be removed. The branches need to be tilted with weights, giving them a vertical position. It's time to cut them into several buds after taking the direction.

Make a branch

To make a fruit branch, it is recommended to follow these steps:

1. Put the branch in a horizontal position, hang a load on it, leave it in this position for 3 months.
2. Cut 1/3 of the branch above the developed bud and spread it with garden var. With the right action, the outgrowths on the sides will form quickly.
3. With a forked tip of the sprout with one horizontal part, it is better to cut the vertical into a ring. Trim the horizontal part by 1/3.

Restore an old apple tree

For rejuvenation and recovery you need:

1. Inspect the apple or pear tree before flowering in spring, not summer.
2. Prune if there is no damage. It is worth pruning from tall branches, then you need to remove the side elements.
3. It is advised to cut off small shoots with semi-skeletal branches.
4. With the help of a garden varnish, it is worth processing and treating all sections.

An old apple tree can be saved with the right processes

Make seedlings and cuttings

Regardless of the apple variety, seedlings can be formed from fat shoots. For this you need:

1. Choose a strong shoot and make notches in the bark at the base.
2. Treat the damaged area with a special product, cover with moss or wrap with foil.
3. When roots form on the branch in the fall, it's time to cut the shoot and transplant it into the garden.

You can make seedlings and cuttings

Prevention of the appearance of tops

For the purpose of prevention, it is necessary:

• remove frostbitten and broken branches in time;
• water the tree moderately;
• make nitrogen replenishment in the spring only in precise dosages;
• carry out the correct anti-aging pruning.

Anti-aging pruning should be done regularly

Some novice gardeners want to see what tops are on fruit trees. They represent branches that grow upward. This is a normal reaction to damage to the tree. Timely, correct actions will ensure the stable development of the apple tree.