Stub Length for Renewal Pruning in Honeycrisp and Gala

Project goal: Determine the optimal length to leave pruning stubs for the best return of renewal pruning.

Project description:  In some varieties of apple, it has been found that the length of the pruning stub has an impact on the size and vigor of the renewal branch that pushes from the stub.  In this trial, we are testing which length provides the most optimal renewal results.  During the spring season of 2020 we made three stub pruning cuts per tree in Honeycrisp and Gala.   The stub lengths that are being evaluated are: 1”, 2”, 3”, and 4”.  Treatments were replicated thirty times in each apple variety.  

Project lead/collaborators: Nikki Rothwell

Funding sources: NWMHR Foundation funds

Start year: 2020

End year: 2021

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