We used a variation of stripping on vigorous M-26 Granny Smith tree first year wood in June-July. Instead of stripping the branch entirely off we would break the branch about one third up from the base so it hung below horizontal and just left it hanging. Vigor was diverted to small weak side shoots that formed into fruit wood below the break. Again hard on the hands but worked great. Heading the branch in the same place would just result in three strong upright branches. The part of the branch above the break was removed during winter pruning.
Another method of vigor manipulation I've tried a little on apples but I understand is common on prune trees is to grab the first year wood branch with both hands and twist it opposite ways. As kids for some reason we called a similar move on a person's wrist an Indian burn. What you are doing is separating the cambium from the sap wood devigorating the branch into fruit wood. Bill Fleming Montana State University Western Ag Research Center 580 Quast Lane Corvallis, MT 59828 From: apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net [mailto:apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net] On Behalf Of Con.Traas Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2014 9:05 AM To: Apple-crop discussion list Subject: Re: [apple-crop] Stripping Leaders on apple Hi Ellen. Nice video Win. In Ireland we have used it in winter also, but it is hard work (rough on the hands), so limited to shoots produced in the last season. Gives less grow-back than pruning I believe. Probably less axillary buds left, and maybe less young tissue to produce adventitious buds? Con Traas Ellen, we use it most for suckers and stiping leaders in June. When they are pulled off they do not grow back. Here is a You tube video of striping leaders on young apple. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddP7cbCiLR4 Best, Win On Jan 28, 2014, at 9:20 AM, Ellen <mcdo...@gwi.net<mailto:mcdo...@gwi.net>> wrote: Does anyone have experience pruning by ripping branches, as opposed to clipping or lopping? Just read about the Wafler's using this method (American FruitGrower, Feb. 2014.). We've always done a bit of it, especially upright shoots when checking the orchard for other things (i.e. without pruning tools at hand.) Just wondered if there have been any long-term deleterious effects ? It's obvious that upper body strength plays into the equation, but is there a limit on the size of branch that is removed by ripping? -- Ellen McAdam McDougal Orchards LLc 201 Hanson Ridge Road Springvale, ME 04083 207-324-5054 www.mcdougalorchards.com<http://www.mcdougalorchards.com/>
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