In the cultivation and production of fruit trees, there are many commonly used tree shapes. According to the differences among types and varieties of fruit trees， the natural environment, the planting distance, the planting method, and the management level of the planting land， the tree shapes adopted are also different. The following is to introduce the current common tree shape and the characteristics of the different tree shapes.
One: Trees with a central trunk
1. The type of the main trunk
Often used in jujube tree, walnut tree, apple tree, ginkgo tree, persimmon tree, bayberry tree, and other trees.
This tree shape is mostly formed by slight pruning. The main branch is not layered or not obviously layered in the central trunk, and the crown is higher.
It has a central main branch which usually with five to seven main branches, and the main branches grow around in layers, forming a semicircular or conical crown.
The trunk shape evolved from the spindle shape and differs from the spindle shape by:
To get the branches on the trunk to a horizontal or slightly drooping shape.
Horizontal or slightly drooping branches are easy to form flower buds and bear fruit, and they are put into production quickly.
Advantage
The main branch is freer in the meristems, and the light can pass through it easily. Besides, it is easier to form a shape.
Disadvantage
(1) Light problem
There is light above, but no light below; light is met in the south, but no light in the north; light is met outside, but no light is inside.
The parts that do not meet the light are bare, not beautiful in color, and poor in quality.
(2)It’s not easy to control the growing trend of trees.
The tree must be propped up, otherwise, the tree body will easily fall, which will increase the investment.
Often pull and twist branches, otherwise, it often happens that the trees are full of upright branches.
Re-spray paclobutrazol, otherwise the tree will be strong on the top and weak on the bottom, and the bottom will be bare, and the tree will age quickly.
So, the fruit trees’“main trunk” technology is not as good as “one-sided” technology.
2 Trees with the evacuation layered shape
Often used in pear trees, loquat trees, mango trees, etc.
Generally, the height of the trunk is 50~70 cm. There are 5-7 main branches on the tree, which are arranged in 2-3 layers on the central trunk.
The three main branches on the first layer are adjacent, about 20-40 cm apart, and selected within 1-2 years. The vertical angle of the main branch is 60-70°. 1-2 main branches on the second layer are inserted in the gap on the first layer of the main branch. There is 1 main branch on the third layer.
The layer distance between the main branch on the first layer (the third main branch) and the second layer (the fourth main branch) is 120-150 cm, and the second layer is 60-70 cm from the third layer. The base three main branches are equipped with 2-3 side branches, the first side branch is 60-70 cm from the base of the main branch, the second side branch is 50 cm from the first side branch and is born opposite the first side branch, the upper main branch can be equipped with or without a side branch. The height of the tree is controlled at 4-5 m, and the diameter of the crown is controlled at 5-6 m.
Advantage
Natural shaping, less trimming, fast forming, firm branches, large load, high and stable production.
Disadvantage
After the fruiting period, improper control can easily lead to external strength and internal weakness, and the parts bearing fruits move outward.
3. The tree with a spindle shape
Pear trees, dwarf or semi-dwarf apple trees, etc.
The tree is 2~3 meters high, and the crown diameter is about 3 meters. Most horizontal main branches shorter than 1.5 meters are cultivated around the central trunk, and the main branches are not stratified and short on the top and long on the bottom.
The main features are:
Has a strong leading branch on the trunk; with many sub-horizontal main branches on the branches; with no specific arrangement order, and no
With a strong leading trunk and branch, there are many near-level main branches on the branch, with no specific arrangement order, and no stratification.
Suitable for fruit trees with many branches, open crowns, slow growth, light pruning, and early fruiting.
Early fruiting and high yield.
4. The natural shape with multiple main branches
Often used in stone fruit trees such as peach trees, apricot trees, plum trees, etc.
The trunk is 50-80 cm, with a distinct mid trunk, main branch, naturally stratified.
The base bears 3-4 main branches, forming the first layer. The distance between the layers is generally 50-60 cm. The main trunk and branches are naturally scattered, the top and bottom parts do not overlap, and the crown canopy and the leaf curtain are round-shaped.
Advantage
Nature takes trees’ course; light pruning; fast formation; early fruiting;
and benefit to the early yield of young trees.
Disadvantage
After entering the full fruit period, the tree crown is often closed, and the inner parts bearing fruits die and move outward. In the later period, some of the large branches should often be removed to solve the light problem.
5. Cylindrical in shape
More suitable for citrus trees and other evergreen fruit trees, widely used in dwarfing dense planting gardens.
The structures of trees in the cylindrical and fine-spindle shapes are similar, and fruit-bearing branches are mainly attached directly to the central trunk, with little difference in the diameter of the upper and lower crowns, which is suitable for high-density cultivation.
The tree height is controlled at 2.5-3 meters, and the crown diameter is 1.2-1.5 meters.
Advantage
Simple and easy pruning; little pruning in the young tree stage; early production; suitable for dense planting.
Disadvantage
Trees in this shape are weak in structure, the ventilation and transmittance are slightly poor, the plant life is short and the cost is high. Suitable for dwarf dense planting gardens.
Two: Trees without a central trunk
1. Cup Shape
Peach trees, hawthorn trees, apple trees, pear trees, and other rosaceae fruit trees.
The trunk is about 35 cm high, with three main branches grown on, each main branch in uniform split into two deputy main branches, each deputy main branch in uniform split into two side branches, that is, into three strands, six forks, and twelve branches in a cup shape.
Advantage
The crown is open, and the light inside is good, which is convenient to manage.
Disadvantage
Too mechanical; shape the tree overly; pruning too heavy; excessive suppression; the center of the crown tends to be too sparse; bearing fruits becomes apparent; low yield; trees tend to die early.
2. Natural round-head shape
Citrus trees, loquat trees, lychee trees, longan trees, and other evergreen fruit trees, as well as pear trees, chestnut trees, and other fruit trees.
When the trunk grows to a certain height, cut and remove excess main branches, leave 3~4 evenly arranged main branches and another 2~3 side branches on each main branch to form the tree body, which naturally forms a round head.
Advantage
Light pruning, fast canopy-forming, easy shaping, and convenient for mechanized operation.
Disadvantage
The internal light is poor, and there is a certain ineffective area in the canopy.
3. The main branch is open and round-head in shape
Commonly used in Wenzhou tangerine orange trees.
After 3 main branches are separated from the main trunk, start to let it open and grow obliquely. When it is 1.0~1.4 meters long, make it stand upright at an angle of 80~90 degrees with the horizontal line, and keep side branches at the bend to make it open and grow obliquely, so that the surrounding space can be used.
In terms of the configuration of the main tree branch, the tree crown is open， but they are covered with small branch groups. Besides, the crown is round.
Three: Natural open shape
Peach trees and other stone fruit trees are commonly used, and pear trees and apple trees are also commonly used.
The 3 main branches are scattered on the main trunk， extending straight. The main branch is extended straight, and strong side branches are cultivated on both sides of the main branch to make full use of the space.
Advantage
This shape is more suitable for weak dryness, and strong light-pleasing tree species. With an open crown and good light, it is easy to get high-quality fruits.
Disadvantage
The early number of main branches is small, and the early yield is low.
Four: The clump shape
Mainly used in shrub fruit trees, such as hairy cherries, small berries, etc.
Without the trunk, the trees just branched into clumps directly. Or with a shorter and inconspicuous trunk, the whole tree has only 1~2 branch groups, no scaffold branches, and the branches groups constantly retract.
Five: Trellis shape
Generally used in vine fruit trees, such as grapes trees, kiwi fruit trees, and other fruit trees.
Mostly use horizontal/inclined trellis for pruning.
In cold regions, apple trees, peach trees, and other fruit trees need to be buried in winter to prevent cold. Its crowns are mostly fan-shaped, fruit disk-shaped, and other creeping pruning branches.
1. Horizontal trellis shape
The trellis is 2 meters high and the surface of the trellis is horizontal. The branches are also horizontal, tied to the rack.
2. Sloping trellis
The trellis is 1~1.5 meters on one side and 2.5~2.7 meters on the other side.
Six: The fence shape
It can be used in peach trees, pear trees, apple trees, and other kinds of fruit trees.
The characteristic of this type of tree is that it needs to set up a fence to fix the plants and branches, and it is more convenient to shape, which is often used on vine fruit trees.
1. Palm leaf shape
There are many types of trees, but the basic structure is that there are 6~8 main branches distributed upright along the row on the central trunk.
According to the distribution characteristics of the main branches on the central trunk, it is divided into the regular type and irregular type. According to the distribution angle of the scaffold branches, it can be divided into horizontal type, inclined type, candle-shaped type, etc.
2. Double fence shape
The two layers of the main branches are tied to the hedge frame nearly horizontally. The tree is about 2 meters high with early fruit bearing and good quality. Besides, the trees are suitable for use in areas with less light and insufficient temperature.
3. Y shape
The hedge frame runs north and south, each plant with only two scaffold branches, divided into the east and west into a Y shape, and at a 60 degrees angle to the ground. The general plant spacing is 0.75~1 meters, and the row spacing is 4.5~6 meters.
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