Main rules
Meet the deadlines. In the south of the Moscow region, it is better to start the procedure in early November, in the north and center of the region – in October. Falling of the main part of the leaves serves as a signal.
Cut into a ring. This expression means that the shoot should always be harvested without hemp. Branches with a finger thick are removed with pruning shears, and those that are thicker are removed with a garden saw.
Reduce the weight of old, thick branches. First, free them from all the shoots, then file them from different sides. So it will break evenly, bark seizures are not formed, which do not heal well and serve as a gateway to sources of disease.
Disinfect. In addition to a pruner and a hacksaw, you will need a garden pitch and a rag with alcohol (or a strong solution of potassium permanganate). The saw cut is covered with varnish, and the tool is treated with alcohol and potassium permanganate after cutting each tree or bush.
Don’t give in to pity. Often the hand does not rise to cut healthy and large branches that grow in the wrong direction. Don’t worry, removing them is harmless and will rejuvenate the plant.
Getting rid of unnecessary things
Sanitary pruning is carried out not only on fruit crops. It affects all trees and shrubs on the site. The procedure will increase the immunity of plants. What are we going to cut?
“Tops” in fruit trees. These are straight shoots growing straight up. They draw on moisture and nutrients, thicken the crown, but will not bear fruit.
Gnarled, withered, broken off branches. It is useful to lightly, literally a couple of centimeters, grab healthy tissue or cut to the base and process the cuts with garden pitch. It may not be enough after removing large branches. An adequate replacement is garden paint.
Shoots growing deeper into the crown. These branches thicken the plant, that is, deprive it of air and light, the center of the crown cannot be treated against pests and diseases. If these shoots are not removed, then the center of the crown will be lifeless and become a breeding ground for infection. The intensity of flowering will decrease, yield decreases, diseases and pests will rage.
Branches growing at too sharp angles. They must either be bent and tied to the trunk, or simply removed, otherwise they will break and there will be large seizures of the bark, that is, injuries.
Competitive shoots those that cross and rub against each other. Leave the thickest ones.
Old branches, on which from year to year there is no fruit, also to be cut into a ring and replaced by younger ones growing side by side in the same direction.