I watched a u tube video on how to prune cherry trees. They had some guys from the university teaching a class. He said the first step is to remove all weak and pendent wood, wood that is pointing downward or under other wood. He says that those branches with fruit have to get their carbohydrates from the next part of the branch in the sun steeling it from that fruit to make the fruits on its branch. You get sweeter bigger fruit by removing the fruiting wood that's pendent. He says to get vigor back into the tree by making big cuts on big wood they have to be in the sun or it wont send out the new growth. These professors talk about how many leaves going up the limb are responsible for the cherry clusters carbohydrates so part of what you are saying is the same with what they are saying with cherry, but they are also saying it's stealing it from another.

I'd like to read more about light levels associated with the loss of photosynthetic ability and also about shoot contribution to fruit. This is the first I'd heard that leaves could permanently loss their ability to function by being shaded for a period of time.

Harvestman. This is a good read. Looks like my window for this type pruning is past for this year. Please post your conclusions later this season. IâÂÂm assuming but not sure if this technique would also work on my pear trees. My pears are approaching 1.5-2â now and I was going to do the summer pruning soon. If your results are positive, I may give it a try next spring. Thanks, Bill

Interesting stuff, hman. I have a bunch of very closely spaced apples in 6-hour sun and have implemented a pruning plan that more or less achieves what the article suggests by how I have thinned out the scaffolds and thinned the size of the fruiting plane. All the fruit I try to get in a 4-6' zone off the ground, a bit like grapes, and it makes it easier to get sun on all the clusters.

What I like about this particular article is its a good general guideline for pruning: if clusters are being overly shaded, get that problem solved yesterday!

Scott

I found the actual study and I was misled by the GFG writer or misread the writer in a very important way. Shaded spur leaves don't entirely lose their ability to photosynthesize- only a percentage of it. The discovery was that once this percentage is lost by shading exposure to sun does not help it return.

Anyone want some wonk- here it is.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lakso study

Hummm, unfortunately Lakso's research papers are behind an "Acta Horticulture" paywall.

http://www.goodfruit.com/growing-good-crops-of-large-fruit/

http://www.goodfruit.com/what-makes-apple-trees-tick/

FascN,this is not a political forum. If your statement is related to home growing fruit or if you can even make an argument about how this corporate connection has anything to do with this studies conclusions, as being discussed here, please explain.

This study was done years before it was discussed in GFG magazine, but I'm actually curious how you see a relationship between the interests of the advertisers (ag chem corporations, fruit tree nurseries, ladder makers and the rest) and a study about the affects of summer pruning.

The study's conclusions only suggest training trees more open (more labor)- not to use more thinning chemicals. Chemical companies benefit from tactics that involve less labor and more chemicals.

Oh, I get it- it's about selling more ladders to pruning crews. Those evil ladder manufacturers!

I think Facist_Nation's point is that you have to pay to read any of the research papers published by Acta Horticulture - the magazine.

~emmers

Man, it was the name Fascist Nation that made me so presumptuous, and also the fact that the study is available to read for free- The link gets me there, did it stop you guys?

I used to be a member but haven't renewed for a couple of years so I'm surprised I get through if others can't.

My apologies Fac. Nat. Now I've learned a new word- paywall.