You can't start pruning trees without having an idea of what a fruit-bearing branch looks like, or what a leafy or flowery branch looks like.
Many summer residents know that somewhere on a tree there are skeletal branches, fruiting branches and some other shoots. But many have no idea what these shoots look like in reality.
We'll tell you what you need to know before picking up a saw or garden shears.
Skeletal branches
Sometimes they are called mother shoots. These are formed, powerful and perennial shoots growing from the trunk.
Semi-skeletal branches and then shoots may extend from them.
It is these shoots on semi-skeletal branches that are divided into leafy and fruit-bearing.
Fruit branch
It will be extremely difficult to confuse it with other shoots if you remember that this branch grows parallel to the ground or perpendicular to the trunk. Another difference is the direction of growth. The fruiting branch does not cross with other shoots.
Fruit cushions
These are short shoots with flower buds, from which flowers will appear, and then ovaries. Their lifespan is from 2 to 6 years. The lower the shoot grows, the more fruit buds there will be.
Leafy branch
These branches mostly grow vertically, that is, upwards, and are covered with leaf buds.
Spinning Tops
These are strong shoots, characterized by large foliage, grow from dormant buds, develop very quickly and grow vertically, reaching 2 meters per year. Do not bear fruit.
Mixed branch
There are also branches on which leaf and flower buds alternate. They are often found on apple and stone fruit trees.
