Pg. 17-18 Snoei van Lietsjiebome

Die primere doel van snoei is om eerstens die jong boompie te vorm en tweedens, sodra die boom die beskikbare spasie in die board in beslag geneem het, boomgrootte te beheer. Verjongingsnoei op groat volwasse borne moet ook van tyd tot tyd gedoen word om nie net die vrugkwaliteit te verbeter nie, maar om ook die boom kleiner te maak. Boomgrootte moet egter so gou moontlik beheer word om te voorkom dat borne te groat word, en dat borne verwyder moet word omdat oorskaduwing plaasvind. Die mees ideate plantstelsel (waar bome so dig as moontlik geplant word) moet gevolg word, sodat optimum opbrengste per hektaar behaal kan word. Boomgrootte kan beheer word deur borne fisies te snoei of mbv plantgroeireguleerders klein te hou. Albei metodes is al suksesvol toegepas, maar heelwat navorsing is steeds nodig om die metodes te verfyn. Enige produsent wat suksesvol met lietsjies wit boer, sat dus op een of ander tyd van een van die reeds genoemde metodes gebruik moet maak, en sat dus kennis moet neem in verband met die saak.

Summary:

• The primary purpose of pruning litchi trees is to first shape the young tree and later control tree size once the tree occupies the available space in the orchard.
• Rejuvenation pruning of large mature trees is done periodically to improve fruit quality and reduce tree size.
• Controlling tree size early is important to avoid excessive tree growth which may cause shading and the need to remove trees.
• The ideal planting system is dense planting for optimum yield per hectare.
• Tree size can be controlled by physical pruning or using plant growth regulators, both are effective but research is ongoing to optimize methods.
• Pruning is necessary to prevent branch breakage, which can cause long-term production losses; storm damage at a research station showed severe branch breakage reducing yields significantly.
• Factors causing branch breakage include too many branches in one place, scaffold branches starting too low or at narrow angles, densely growing trees, and stems that split easily (“V” shaped forks).
• Several types of pruning are discussed:
  • Formative pruning for young trees to establish a good framework.
  • Selective fruiting branch pruning on bearing trees to control size and improve yield.
  • Rejuvenation and corrective pruning on large mature trees.
• Formative pruning starts in the nursery or soon after planting and focuses on creating scaffold branches spaced about 30 cm apart and avoiding sharp angled branches.
• Selective pruning removes excess weight on fruiting branches after or during harvest to reduce damage and improve yield.
• Rejuvenation pruning is drastic, cutting all branches 1.5 to 2 m from the ground, used for old trees or those with poor yield/quality, wind damage, or where harvesting has become difficult.
• Corrective pruning addresses problems with low branches shading other trees or “V” shaped branches that split and kill the tree.
• Pruning wounds are treated with fungicides, and trunks are whitewashed to protect against sun damage.
• Post-pruning care is critical, involving thinning new growth and regular maintenance to maintain tree shape.
• Safety precautions during pruning are stressed to avoid accidents, especially when using saws or removing large branches.
• The preferred tree shape is a hemisphere, often achieved using a pyramid guide during pruning to set scaffold branch angles and height.
• Pruning improves both fruit quality and harvesting efficiency, and is essential for long-term orchard productivity.