Effects of Summer Pruning on Increasing the Rate of Flower Bud Formation in ‘Satonishiki’ Young Sweet Cherry Trees

Abstract

To examine the effects of timing and severity of summer pruning on flower bud formation rate, 5-year-old ‘Satonishiki’ sweet cherry trees were pruned on May 7, 17, 28, June 4, 17, 25, or July 6 with heading cuts at 4, 5, or 6 buds from the base of the current shoot. The influences on flower bud formation rate on the current shoots varied depending on the timing or severity of summer pruning. Summer pruning leaving the 5 or 6 buds during June was the most useful for increasing the rate of flower bud formation which ranged from 71 to 82 percent on the current shoots. The terminal buds on the shoots also developed leaf buds, ranging from 80 to 100 percent under the summer pruning conditions described above.