A walnut tree is a real eye-catcher in every garden. But to ensure that it pleases the eye for many years to come, proper care is crucial. This also includes the maintenance cut. But how and when should you prune your walnut tree?
The right timeLate summer and early autumn are the best times for a caring cut. You should give your walnut tree a cut around the end of August to mid-September. This is not a radical pruning, but rather targeted care measures that rejuvenate the tree.
A late summer cut stops growth and the tree can better prepare for the coming winter. At the same time, the walnut tree has enough time to recover. The cuts will heal even without a mark before the first frost and in late summer there will be significantly less tree sap than during the flowering period.
In contrast, winter pruning promotes renewed sprouting. However, since it is a fast-growing tree, you will achieve exactly the opposite of what is desired. In summer, the tree canopy will be so dense that the branches will compete for sunlight and the tree leaves will dry more slowly after rain. In addition, the tree bleeds significantly more and the cuts heal much more slowly. Frost damage is also not uncommon in spring.
Thinning cuts in summer make more sense, in which weak, ailing or competing side branches are completely removed in order to gradually build up a loose crown.
Thinning pruning in summer: instructions
The thinning cut in summer should be done in such a way that it does not disturb breeding birds. Heavy pruning is strictly prohibited until October and there are high penalties if you violate the rules. But the walnut tree itself cannot tolerate severe pruning. Instead, when thinning out in late summer, individual branches that grow upwards or inwards are cut off or shortened to a bud.
An exception is damage caused by a storm. If there is a wind break, you should act as quickly as possible.
Before cutting, however, you have to be aware that the bleeding of the walnut tree is intense, even in late summer. However, you do not need to close the cut with wax or burn out the cuts. These methods have not proven effective in practice and can cause more damage. Mainly because the tree cannot form new tissue and heal until the first frost.
The purpose of thinning is not to increase yields. The walnut tree will continue to produce many nuts even if it has not been cut for years. The aim is to make the tree more resistant to disease and to give the crown the right shape so that it can be harvested more quickly.
Proceed as follows:
1. Clean all tools that you will otherwise need when cutting. For trees that are one to three years old, pruning shears are sufficient; for trees between three and five years old, it is better to use pruning shears. For older trees and trees that have reached a height of over 4 meters, you can use a long-handled pruning saw.
2. During nurturing pruning, different pruning measures are taken depending on the age of the tree, its height and the shape of the crown.
3. In the first year the main shoot is shortened to 1.3 meters. If there are side branches, they are also shortened accordingly.
4. In the second year, the shoots growing upwards are cut. They compete with the leading branch and do not bear nuts. Therefore they are removed annually.
5. In the third year, the tree crown has already developed so magnificently that some side branches also have to be shortened. This involves cutting all inwardly growing or competing shoots back to a bud.
5. From the fourth year onwards, the walnut tree receives a thinning cut. Every side branch that grows upwards is removed. Side branches that obscure the others are also shortened. Cut the branches back to just one bud. Thick branches are first cut from bottom to top. Then carefully cut off from above.
Every year, all diseased, broken, pest-infested or bare branches are removed.
Especially with tall, older trees, you should be extra careful and prune as needed and while adhering to the following safety measures.
- Keep pets and small children away during the cut and do not allow them to run and play around or under the tree.
- Always wear protective clothing to prevent injuries. First practice safe handling of the tools and only then carry out the cutting measures. This includes, above all, gardening gloves, safety glasses and a helmet with a visor are absolute musts. If you use battery-powered devices, also consider hearing protection. Cut protection trousers and suitable, sturdy shoes are also important.
- For larger trees, have a helper - they should look at the tree from a distance and give advice if necessary.
- After cutting, leave the tree alone for the first time so that it can recover.
Cutting the walnut tree: the most important things summarized
ImDifference from fruit trees, the walnut tree does not need any vigorous pruning. The training cut is only intended to make harvesting easier and has no direct influence on yields. The walnut tree is cut to avoid wind breakage and to prevent disease. But even without pruning, the walnut tree will continue to grow quickly and produce plenty of nuts.
The best time for cutting is late summer. You can carry out a caring cut from mid-August to around mid-September.
The tree is trained in the first four years and then thinned out. The cuts are not treated.
