Pg. 34-35 Snoei van Lietsjiebome

Lietsjiebome wat van luginleers gekweek word, is van nature geneig om baie sytakke te vorm. Groot skade kan aangerig word deur sytakke wat breek tydens sterk winde en storms. Borne kan so erg beskadig word dat hulle verwyder moet word, terwyl bome tot 50% van hulle dratakke kan verloor met ‘n gevolglike oesverlies van tot 30%. Bome kan vervang word, maar dit sal ongeveer tien jaar duur voordat hulle weer dieselfde produksie sal lewer. Dit is dus baie duidelik
dat sodanige skade ‘n langtermynverlies beteken. As hierdie verliese bymekaar gereken word, word die effek van die
gebrek aan snoei, en veral aanvanklike vormsnoei van die jong boompie, baie duidelik. Alhoewel lietsjieprodusente nooit
werklik lietsjiebome gesnoei het nie, is dit duidelik dat snoei-probleme soos takke wat breek en borne wat mekaar verdring, kan voorkom.

Omdat die lietsjieboom relatief vinnig groei en gou groot word, moet boomgrootte beheer word. Hoedigtheidsaanplantings kan optimum opbrengste lewer, maar dan moet boomgrootte terselfdertyd beheer word.
Die boom moet groei en ontwikkel totdat alle beskikbare ruimte in ‘n board beslaan is, met net genoeg bewerkingsruimte ·tussen die rye. Daarna moet boomgrootte beheer word sodat dit nie nodig is om later alternatiewe bome te verwyder nie.

Alhoewel ‘n lietsjieboom inherent bros hout het en maklik skeur of breek, is daar tog ander faktore wat veroorsaak dat die takke breek, nl:

• Te veel takke wat op een plek vertak.
• Raamtakke wat net bo die grondoppervlak vertak.
• Raamtakke wat met te skerp hoeke uit die hoofstam vertak ( < 45° ).
• Borne wat te dig groei (te veel takke en blare veroorsaak so ‘n groot gewig op die mik dat dit maklik breek omdat lugdeurvloei beperk word).
• Hoofstamme wat met ‘n skerp “V” vertak, skeur maklik in die helfte en die wortelstelsel word dan beskadig.

Aangesien hierdie faktore reggestel kan word met korrekte snoei-prosedures kan oesverliese vanwee gebreekte takke dus drasties verlaag word.

Daar is verskeie tipes snoei wat toegepas moet word: Vormsnoei word toegepas vir ‘n behoorlike raamwerk by jong boompies. Selektiewe drataksnoei kan toegepas word by borne wat reeds vrugte dra om boomgrootte te beheer. Verjonging en korrektiewe snoei kan gedoen word by groot volwasse borne.

Summary:

• Litchi trees grown from air layers tend to produce many side branches, which can break during strong winds or storms, causing up to 50% loss of bearing branches and up to 30% yield loss.
• Damaged trees take about ten years to regain original production after replacement, emphasizing the importance of early pruning.
• Problems arise if branches break or trunks crowd each other due to lack of proper pruning.
• Litchi trees grow quickly, so controlling tree size is crucial to optimize orchard space and yields.
• Factors causing branch breakage include: too many branches at one point, framework branches branching just above ground, sharp branch angles (<45°), overcrowded trees limiting air flow, and trunks with sharp “V” forks that easily split.
• Correct pruning methods can drastically reduce crop losses from broken branches.
• Types of pruning:
  • Form pruning shapes young trees early to prevent future branch breakage.
    • Form pruning starts in the nursery and continues soon after planting, focusing on straight growth and avoiding sharp-angled branch growth.
    • Corrective form pruning addresses issues like crowded, low, or shading branches, and wind-damaged trees.
    • Corrective form pruning aims to establish an ideal tree drip area with balanced height and radius, often shaping trees into half-circles or pyramids with the top point removed.
  • Selective bearing branch pruning manages size of fruiting trees by removing weight-bearing branches post-harvest.
    • Selective bearing branch pruning involves cutting fruit-bearing branches about half an arm’s length from the tip during or after harvest, alternating branches each season to create “windows” that increase bearing surface and control size.
  • Rejuvenation pruning for large mature trees to improve fruit quality and reduce size.
    • Rejuvenation pruning is drastic, cutting all branches 1.5 to 2 m above ground, sealing wounds, and painting trunks to prevent sun damage.
• Detailed steps include marking pruning points, removing cut branches, making careful angled cuts to promote healing, and treating wounds to prevent infection.
• The main goal of pruning is to control tree size, develop strong framework, prevent overcrowding and shading to maximize yields.
• Proper aftercare including thinning and regular maintenance after pruning is critical for tree health and productivity.