So that branches of fruit trees do not break under the load of the fruit, it is advisable to support the branches. Find out here how this works best.
Some years fruit trees bear little fruit, and in others the branches are so full they are about to snap off. To prevent this, it is important to support the tree as it grows and to ensure from the start that the branches do not bear too many fruits in the first place. But if it has come to the point that these are full of fruit, you can still do something and protect the branches from breaking off. You can do this with so-called fruit tree supports, which you can even make yourself.
You can build these fruit tree supports yourself
❍ Support fruit tree branches with a fork:
To prevent a branch from breaking, it is best to provide the tree with suitable support. The simplest solution here is a branch fork. You need to be exact:
- Fork
- soft leather or thin cushion
- Jigsaw
The forked branch should be long enough to use as a support. If it is too long, simply cut the branch fork with a jigsaw so that the branch can lie comfortably in the upper Y-piece. The support can then be improved by positioning a soft pad between the branch and the support. Ideally, you should use soft leather or a thin pad for this. Thanks to this protection, the branch does not scrape along the support even in a storm or wind and therefore does not rub off the tree bark.
❍ Build T-support from construction strips:
A suitable T-support for the fruit tree branch is very easy to make in just a few steps. For this you need:
- two construction wooden strips (untreated)
- Hammer
- Nails
If you have the right components, all you have to do is connect the two construction strips together so that you end up with a T-shaped support. You then not only place this directly under the branch, but at the same time with the other end in the ground. This gives the support a firm footing andprovides the branch with the necessary stability.
❍ Use a wooden board with a notch as a support:
You can also use a simple board as a support. The only important thing is that it is long enough to be placed between the branch and the ground. In addition to the board, you only need the following:
- Jigsaw
- Sandpaper
- Wood Drill
- binding bast
At the end, simply saw a notch in the wooden board with the jigsaw. How big this has to be depends on the thickness of the branch. You should then round off the cut edges with the sandpaper so that the bark of the branch is not damaged. You also have to drill a hole in the board below the notch with the wood drill bit. And your fruit tree support is ready.
If you want to use the fruit tree support, all you have to do is place the board as straight as possible under the branch. Then pull some binding bast through the drilled hole and tie it to the branch. Thanks to the additional fixation with bast, you prevent the board from falling over during a storm.
Prevention is better than aftercare
In addition to direct first aid, there are other measures that can be taken to avoid breaking a branch on a fruit tree. This begins with the right support for growth, when the fruit tree is not yet bearing fruit.
➜ Measures during growth:
If the fruit tree is still young, I can ensure that it grows straight with the right support. To do this, simply insert a wooden stake into the ground next to the seedling and tie it to it with bast. This protects the tree from wind and weather as it grows and at the same time helps to influence the direction in which it grows.
➜ support crooked trees:
If you omit regular pruning in both summer and winter, most fruit trees will grow crooked. Unfortunately, this only becomes apparent when the tree is a little older. In this case, the best way to rejuvenate the tree is with a professional pruning. If this is not possible, wooden pegs and T-supports provide the necessary support.
➜ Thin out flowers and fruits:
So-called alternation occurs in some trees. This means that one year there will be almost no fruit hanging from the branches, while the next year they will be covered with it. If the latter happens, the branches usually break off as well. You can prevent such a fruit glut by cutting off the small fruits or flowersremove early. The sooner you start this measure, the better.
This measure makes it easy to determine how many fruits will later hang on the tree. In addition, the fruits receive more light through the acquired freedom and thus grow into large and he althy fruits. At the same time, thanks to this precaution, it can be avoided that there will be no fruit on the tree next year.
➜ regular pruning:
Another measure that helps ensure that the tree only sprout strong branches is regular pruning of the fruit tree. Thanks to this, the branches grow a little shorter and thus ensure optimal weight distribution. A moderate yield of fruit is also encouraged. Thanks to the cut, the quality of the fruit can often be improved.