Cherry trees crown formation following the system „natural crown improvement with reduced volume”

Abstract

The present paper we studied the cherry trees crown formation tracking natural improved low volume crown system. The orchard was established in 2010 with ‘Ferrovia’, ‘Adriana’ and ‘Skeena’ cultivars grafted on ‘Gisela 6’ rootstock (Prunus cerasus x Prunus canescens), at a planting distance of 4 x 2 m. The trees grow up to 2.5-3 m height, with a trunk of 70-80 cm, then 2 levels of scaffold branches are inserted at intervals of 80-90 cm. In the first level, 3 to 4 branches are arranged uniformly around the axis in spiral at a distance of 8-12 cm between them. Three-sections extend at a height of 80-90 cm from the top or at 150-180 cm from the ground fulfil the medium part of the crown, and the third level is represented only by the garnishing branches.