BACK
Pruning Almonds
The idea with Almond trees is to establish a really good shape so that it will not need major pruning once it is established.
Almonds fruit on spurs that last about five years.
For best nut production, prune the oldest fruiting wood 1/5 each winter while the tree is dormant. If the tree has not been properly shaped when young, Almond trees can survive a drastic cut back and if a significant amount of fruiting spurs are still on the tree, you will still get a crop; if not, cut back by 1/3 some of the long new shoots (that are likely the result of this drastic pruning) to encourage new fruiting spurs to develop.
If fruiting spurs are very old (10-15 years) they should be cut off to encourage new spurs which will yield more fruit
Branches should be spaced to provide good air circulation and not cross each other.
They should branch off each other at wide v-angles (a very narrow v-angle tends to split off in age).
The tree should be balanced.
Most mature Almonds need little pruning annually, so once this tree gets 'stabilized' it should do well on it own for some time with only minimal intervention.
Translation of Terminology
Bud: - A swollen bump on a branch or stem from which leaves and flowers will develop. It will often show a hint of green when examined closely. Flower buds are usually more rounded than leaf buds. Leaf buds are usually more pointed and flattened than a flower bud.
Spur: - AKA ‘Fruiting Spur’. A stubby, compact growth on a branch or stem that holds a cluster of flower buds that will turn into fruit. It will look more rounded and fatter than a growth bud. Spurs usually appear once a tree is 2 years old or more.
Old Wood: - Branches or stems that have been part of the plant prior to the current season’s growth.
New Wood: - Stems that have developed during the current season’s growth period.
Leader: - The central upright branch that forms the main part of the framework of a tree.
BACK
Wairere Nursery
826 Gordonton Road, R D 1, Hamilton 3281 Ph: (07) 824 3430 Email: