Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science · 1972 · 16 citations · 0 references
AgriculturePlant BiologyPlant SciencesCanopy ManagementPlant Developmental BiologyPruning SystemsPruning ManagementPruning SeverityPruning StrategiesRoot DevelopmentSpacing ManagementTree TaperEarly Tree GrowthPruningTree Pruning ManagementTree StakingYoung Tree Pruning
Abstract Trunk development of young container-grown trees was influenced by pruning and staking practices. The conventional nursery practice of staking and severely pruning laterals of container-grown trees produces plants which usually cannot stand without support when planted in the landscape. However trees were produced that were able to stand erect without staking by eliminating stakes during production, leaving lateral branches on the trunk, and spacing plants so their tops were free to move. Even though rigidly staked trees with lower limbs removed grew taller, they developed less caliper at the trunk base, much less taper to the trunk, and a smaller root system. Most of the trees staked during production, regardless of whether they were lightly or severely pruned, were not able to stand upright when planted out, while the unstaked trees needed no support.