North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Terence Bradshaw <tblists@pshift.com>]

I have used notching to force buds very successfully.  I tend to do
it in early spring, say late April around here (Vermont).  I use my
hand pruners and press the sharp blade into the cambium just above the
bud I want to force, rocking gently.  I generally do this on trees
in the ground in their second or third year to promote the branching I
want.  Typically the caliper of the leader into which I'm notching
is <3/4".
As for notching to devigorate trees, I have not done it but I have done
some trunk ringing.  This seems to work well when done during
bloom.  I make two overlapping cuts, neither completely around the
trunk. The cuts are made with my hand saw and are located just below the
first branches.  It would be good to follow up with removal of any
suckers that may form below the cuts. See this site for more:
http://www.umass.edu/fruitadvisor/factsheets/growthcontrol.htm

Terry B


> Does anyone know of any science or had
> personal experience that it works? That is a notch cut above a bud will
> cause that bud to grow out or a notch below a branch will reduce the
> vigor of that branch. Does it work on both old and new wood? What time of
> the year would it be done? I can find information on the internet on how
> to do it, but nothing beyond that.

=================================================================

Terence Bradshaw 

1189 Wheeler Road

Calais, VT 05648        

(802)229-2004

bradshaw@pshift.com

The views represented are mine and mine only...