Canopy Management Practices in the Almond Industry –No Prune System, Does it Work?Prepared by: David Doll

UC Farm Advisor, Merced, CA

10/5/2014

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Almond Canopy Management Research

The best orchards alternate around this line

2500 at 50% int.

4000 at 80% interception

Pruning Trials within Almonds in CA

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Why Prune Almond Trees?

– Manage light distribution through the tree to maximize life of fruiting spurs, maintain lower wood (prevent shade out)

– Invigorate and renew fruitwood

– Reduce alternate bearing

– Control tree size (height) to improve nut removal and spray coverage

– Reduce Disease Pressure

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Long Term Pruning Trials in CA

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Long Term Pruning Trials in CA

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Stanislaus County Pruning Trial

• Planted fall, 1999

• Very vigorous orchard in development years

• Four pruning strategies

• Four tree spacings

Roger Duncan, UC Farm Advisor

Long Term Almond Pruning Trials in CA

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1) Standard trained,

annually pruned

2) Standard trained,

left unpruned

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3) Minimal training &

pruning4). Untrained &

unpruned

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First “dormant” pruning February 2001

Trained to 3scaffolds

Minimally trained Untrained

2 Year Old – Spring 2001

10’ x 22’

Standard trained

& prunedUntrained &

unpruned

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After Second “dormant” pruning Spring 2002

Standard trained,

pruned annually

Minimally trained,

minimally prunedUntrained,

unpruned

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Standard Trained, Annually Pruned Nonpareil.7th Leaf

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Standard Trained, Unpruned five years – 7th leaf

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Untrained/unpruned Nonpareil. 7th Leaf.

Difference in shaded

ground area

Spacing = 6.7m x 6.7m

Trained,

annually pruned

Untrained,

unpruned

The Effect of Tree Spacing and Pruning onMidday Light Interception

40

50

~ 50 pounds per acre

70

60

80

•Conventionally pruned trees capture less light and

therefore have lower yield potential

•Tree spacing had little effect on light interception

10 x22 14 x22 18 x22

Tree spacing

22 x22

Mid

da

y l

igh

tin

terc

ep

tio

n

(%)

Annual, conventional pruning

Multiple scaffolds, 3pruningcuts

max

Unprunedafter2years

trainingnoscaffoldselection,

nopruningEach 1% of light captured increases yield potential by

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The Effect of Pruning on Yield

Yields are reported in Kg/ha

4th 5th 7th 8th 10th 14th Cumulative

YieldDiff to conv.

Conv Pruning 1885 2071 2773 3587 3272 2595 287733 Scaffolds, non-pruning 2084 2195 3165 3723 3417 2508 29875 1102

Minimally Trained and

Pruned 2208 2095 2630 3611 3203 2509 28180 -593No Training or

Pruning 2159 2153 3008 3704 3438 2625 30004 1230

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Why Prune Almond Trees?

– Manage light distribution through the tree to maximize life of fruiting spurs, maintain lower wood (prevent shade out)

– Invigorate and renew fruitwood

– Reduce alternate bearing

– Control tree size (height) to improve nut removal and spray coverage

– Reduce Disease Pressure

2014 AMS 40th Anniversary Industry Conference proudly presented by

Why Prune Almond Trees?

– Manage light distribution through the tree to maximize life of fruiting spurs, maintain lower wood (prevent shade out)

– Invigorate and renew fruitwood

– Reduce alternate bearing

– Control tree size (height) to improve nut removal and spray coverage

– Reduce Disease Pressure

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Why Prune Almond Trees?There are reasons to prune

• Allow equipment access (shakers, weed sprayer, etc.

• Safety for tractor driver

• Reduce disease (Alternaria, hull rot, rust, etc.)

• Sunlight on orchard floor to improve drying

• Remove dead or diseased limbs

• Reduce sticks at harvest