METHOD FOR FORMATION OF FRUIT TREE CROWNS ON FOOTHILL SLOPES Russian patent published in 2010 - IPC A01G3/00 

FIELD: agriculture.

SUBSTANCE: method includes cutting of side branches to form flatter crown. In the 3^rd-4^th year of trees fruitage, with alignment of rows from east to west and 7x4 m arrangement of trees, flatter shape is formed across the row with width of not more than 2 metres. Thick primary branches and secondary branches directed along row line are removed, and with the help of cutting primary branches directed at the angle of at least 45° from row line are diverted to side secondary branches that grow in interrow space. Tertiary branches growing in a row are removed on primary branches directed at the angle of more than 45° from row line. Perennial fruiting branches are shortened. Primary, secondary and subsequent branches are diverted to side branches by means of cutting at the distance of not more than 1 m from the line going into interrow through trunk and perpendicular to row line. In the following years up to 3-4 thick primary branches are formed on trunk above the first tier in direction of interrows without secondary branches.

EFFECT: method will make it possible to improve productivity of apple trees and quality of fruit by improvement of light conditions through re-arrangement of crown into a flatter one in transverse direction to row.

7 dwg, 3 tbl, 1 ex