Why do they ring and re-string tree branches?

Banding (removing a strip of bark) is used both in young orchards to speed up the fruiting of a branch or tree as a whole, and on fruit trees that do not bear fruit for a long time. The ringing technique consists of cutting out a strip of cambium only 2 mm wide and 3-4 cm long under a non-fruiting branch. The bark is also removed in the form of a continuous ring (in a circle).

Ringing of fruit trees, vigorously growing but poorly fruiting apple and pear trees, stimulates laying flower buds for next year's harvest. This technique will cause “stubborn” young trees to bloom already in 2-3 years and increase the yield of fruit-bearing trees.

Typically, the flow of nutrients in a plant goes up from the roots through the wood. By breaking the bark when girding a branch or part of the trunk, we will delay the reverse flow of nutrients descending from the leaves to the roots. This will lead to the accumulation of nutrients in the ringed branch, cause a decrease in growth processes and at the same time improve the formation of flower buds for next year's harvest.

It is not necessary to ring all the branches of the tree at once, but one by one, year by year.

How is banding done?

• In the first year, a third of the branches or even one branch are ringed. The next year the next ones are ringed, etc.
• The operation is performed with a sharp knife: at the base of the branch, the bark is cut in the form of a ring down to the wood.
• A second circular incision is made slightly higher, removing the bark 0.2 to 0.8 cm wide.
• The ring is covered with garden putty or carefully tied with plastic wrap. By the end of autumn the ring is overgrown.
• The procedure should be carried out during the period of intensive shoot growth in late May - early June (20-30 days after flowering).
• The bandage is removed after 1-1.5 months, when new tissue forms on the wound.

In the conditions of the south of Russia, annular cutouts in the form of a triangular section (triangular), about 0.5 cm wide, made on the trunks of apple and pear trees in the second half of May have a stronger effect. The cut-out area of ​​the fabric is tied with film to protect against pests and improve wound healing.Within 1.5 months, the ring wounds heal completely and the bandage is removed.

However, banding should be used with great caution, as it does weaken the tree, especially their root system.

It is used on healthy, vigorously growing and frost-resistant plants against the backdrop of high garden agricultural technology.

How to make a constriction

To speed up the fruiting of young trees, they also use constriction of the bark at the base of the skeletal branches. To do this, tie the branches with wire (see figure) or a metal plate. Both banding and constriction have the same goal - to help the branches direct nutrients to the formation of buds.

The branches should be ringed in the fifth year after planting at the end of May - beginning of June.

When girding, the rule applies: you cannot ring many branches on one tree. In this case, the tree may die due to starvation.