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Post by Catscratch on Feb 11, 2017 9:33:57 GMT -6
Here are two of the trees. The cages ate 5ft. My lowest limbs are about 3ft. I'm considering pruning off the lower limbs this spring as I ultimately want the lowest limbs to be around 5ft. Anything I tie down this summer will stick out of the cage and get nipped. Suggestions?
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Post by smsmith on Feb 11, 2017 9:45:28 GMT -6
I wouldn't worry about those limbs under 4-5' getting nipped off.
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Post by nhmountains on Feb 11, 2017 15:14:52 GMT -6
On the lower tree I'd think about cutting the competing limb on the lower right that swoops upward. I have one that way that I let go and now need to cut.
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Post by smsmith on Feb 11, 2017 18:16:55 GMT -6
NH-is this the limb you're talking about?
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Post by Catscratch on Feb 11, 2017 18:34:42 GMT -6
NH-is this the limb you're talking about? That was my take on it.
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Post by smsmith on Feb 11, 2017 18:45:11 GMT -6
I'd remove that branch, just as nhmtns suggested.
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Post by Catscratch on Feb 11, 2017 19:03:48 GMT -6
Consider it done. Anything else stick out to you guys?
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Post by smsmith on Feb 11, 2017 19:50:50 GMT -6
At this point, there's nothing I see that screams "aighhh, remove me". Down the road, I can see some shit that will probably need to be removed. I'm currently of the belief that stems/leaves/limbs are food makers for the tree. Once they are obviously detrimental to the long term form/shape of the tree, then removing them makes sense.
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Post by nhmountains on Feb 11, 2017 22:23:12 GMT -6
Yes, that's the one. That'll compete with the central leader and put on girth. The longer you wait the larger the wound you'll have. If you look closely at that limb it's also got branches growing back into the middle rather than away from the leader. You want to keep those to a minimum. In this case, removing that branch should help open up more light and provide more nutrients to the main leader.
On that top tree I'd try to pull it more to the right to straighten it up.
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Post by Catscratch on Feb 12, 2017 3:52:37 GMT -6
I'm out of town right now. When I get home I'll take another pic or or two. One of those trees has a trunk that is crooked or bent. Not sure how to fix it...
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Post by Catscratch on Feb 12, 2017 16:30:58 GMT -6
Here is a different view of the top tree. It's always been crooked and that bugs me. A leaning tree is something I know how to deal with, not sure what to do with one that is bent. Recommendations?
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Post by smsmith on Feb 12, 2017 16:49:55 GMT -6
Fruit trees are weird. I wouldn't worry about the "bend" in that one, if you really feel the need to do something...I'd drive a t-post to the right of the tree and use a section of old garden hose to tie to the post. A guy could gradually bring the top of that tree back to straight up/down I think.
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Post by nhmountains on Feb 12, 2017 16:52:51 GMT -6
You should be able to pull that upright. I'd cut a piece of rubber hose. Feed a rope thru it. Wrap it around the opposite side of the lean and pull the rope so it's upright. Drive a stake or two and tie off the rope. It won't take long for that to stay upright without the rope. If you feel too much tension don't snap the leader off but, it's young so it should work. Best if you had somebody press on the trunk to see if it'll go more upright. Then wrap the rope and tie off. Then have the person release tension. We had one that a larger maple fell on and caused it to go 45 degrees. We got it back up to about 80 degrees and it's doing well.
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Post by nhmountains on Feb 12, 2017 16:56:32 GMT -6
Haha Stu,
Great minds think a like.
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Post by Catscratch on Feb 13, 2017 6:15:10 GMT -6
So it isn't a big deal that it's bent (other than it bugs me to look at it)? I figured it would make the tree weaker and more prone to break on a windy day with a load of fruit on it. I guess I might, or might not do something with it.
Thanks.
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