North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Joe Boles" <jo.bo@rogers.com>]

Hi Terry:

 

Thanks for the info. I'll give it a try.

 

 

  Joe

----- Original Message -----

From: Terence Bradshaw

To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org

Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 10:00 AM

Subject: [NAFEX] Re: Notching

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