We tie the bent shoots to the pins as follows. First, tie the string to the pin. With the left hand we catch the bent momentum at a distance of approx 40 cm from its root and direct to the required position. Put the string over the shoot with your right hand, we make a wide loop on 3 fingers and tie under the shoot. Then we pull hard on the end of the string, so that the knot jumps down one centimeter. Pass the end of the string through the loop again and tie it a second time. Thus, a loose loop remains, who won't take a puff. The string must not be tightened around the shoot, because after a short time the thicker shoot cuts into the loop and breaks off at the binding site. The shaping operations in the third and fourth years after the orchard was planted are similar to those in the second year. In the spring, these new shoots should be bent, which appeared on the guide. Every year you need to bend from 2 into 4 shoots. Stems too stiff or directed towards the inter-row, which is difficult to bend, can be removed. After bending the shoots, the guide should be shortened to more or less 50 Cm, above the shoots (characteristic. 77). We do not shorten bent shoots. Sometimes it is necessary to improve the position of the shoots on the lowest floor if they grow upwards. Cutting and bending the shoots a year takes 10-15 minutes per tree, that is, 60-90 hours per tree 1 ha orchard.
The crown formation is completed when the trees are stretched to a height of 2.0— -2,5 m. At this height, bend the conductor to the side to form a limb or remove it smoothly.
During the crown formation period and beyond, trees should be cut as little as possible until at least seven years of age. The necessary pruning is limited to removing the shoots, which cannot be bent and used for limbs. In addition, strong shoots at the base of the branches should be removed, called wolves. If the trees are growing vigorously, it is necessary to limit their growth towards the inter-row, to keep the thickness of the row within 1,5 m. Very strong shoots above 0,5 m the length directed to the inter-row must be removed smoothly next to the limb. Leave all the weaker shoots growing in the same direction on 1 year. When they form flower buds, shorten them over the last bud.
In 7-10 years after the orchard was established, the rows require stronger pruning. From now on, they have to be x-rayed by cutting out some boughs and branches from the center of the crown. Formed lane crowns have from 10 into 12 branches. We leave it permanently 6-8 branches, preferably in 3-4 floors with two branches, facing opposite directions. We thin the branches gradually, in the period from 7 into 15 year of life of trees.
Branches growing out of the boughs need to be thinned, that they do not cross and lie on top of each other. The distance from the ground to the lowest branches should be approx 0,5 m. Every year we also remove wolves and strong shoots growing towards the inter-row. Trees of some varieties (Bankroft, Mclntosh, Spartan) run in a row, they expand more strongly at the top than at the bottom. This must not be allowed to happen, because the lower branches will stop bearing fruit due to the lack of light. You have to correct the shape of the crowns with the help of a cut, that they are wider at the bottom than at the top. A sash in the cross-section of a truncated cone is obtained by cutting smoothly all the strong shoots on the upper limbs.
A properly cut lane creates a compact wall, evenly compacted along its entire length. Please pay attention, that there is no excessive thickening of shoots at the junction of two adjacent trees in a row. If trees are planted densely, it's where they touch each other – branches cross each other and must be shortened. You also need to take care, so that the bases of the boughs do not strip the fruit-bearing shoots. Many varieties show this tendency. You can prevent the limbs from stripping out by leaving a few weaker wolves at their base. After two years, fruit-bearing branches will emerge from them.
To ensure good sunlight for trees and create conditions for efficient work, lines should not be higher than 2,5 m. The guides of trees must be cut to the height of the worker 's arm outstretched. The thickness of the row in the middle of its height should be after cutting 1,5 m. They need to be a little wider at the bottom, and above should have 1,0 m in thickness.