1. Objectives of Pruning
- Promote healthy canopy structure and strong branch architecture.
- Facilitate resin induction by creating controlled wounding sites.
- Improve light penetration, air circulation, and disease prevention.
- Reduce self-shading and competition among branches, enhancing growth uniformity.
2. Types of Pruning
a. Formative (Structural) Pruning
- Timing: First 2–3 years of growth.
- Purpose: Develop a strong main stem and well-spaced branches.
- Technique:
- Remove competing or low-quality branches.
- Retain 3–4 primary branches evenly distributed.
- Cut weak, crossing, or inward-growing branches.
- Outcome: Strong tree structure ready for resin induction later.
b. Maintenance (Sanitary) Pruning
- Timing: Annually or as needed.
- Purpose: Remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches.
- Technique:
- Inspect canopy regularly.
- Cut back branches with pests, fungus, or mechanical damage.
- Outcome: Prevents disease spread and encourages healthy growth.
c. Resin-Induction (Wounding) Pruning
- Timing: Typically after 4–6 years, when trees are mature.
- Purpose: Create controlled wounds to stimulate resin formation.
- Technique:
- Make small notches or cuts in the main stem or branches.
- Combine with fungal inoculation or chemical stimulants to induce resin.
- Avoid excessive wounding, which can stress or kill the tree.
- Outcome: Maximizes resin yield and quality while maintaining tree health.
3. Canopy Management
- Objective: Optimize light, air, and space for growth and resin accumulation.
- Methods:
- Thinning: Remove selected branches to allow light penetration to inner canopy.
- Height Management: Limit tree height through periodic pruning to ease harvesting.
- Spacing: Maintain 3–5 m between trees to reduce overcrowding and improve airflow.
- Benefits:
- Reduces fungal diseases and pest infestations.
- Enhances photosynthesis and secondary metabolite (resin) accumulation.
- Facilitates resin induction techniques by providing accessible branches.
4. Pruning Best Practices
- Use sharp, sterilized tools to reduce infection risk.
- Make clean cuts at branch collars; avoid leaving stubs.
- Prune during dry weather to minimize fungal infections.
- Remove pruned materials from plantation to prevent pest habitats.
- Monitor tree response after pruning to adjust technique for resin induction.
Key Takeaways
- Formative pruning develops strong structure; maintenance pruning ensures tree health.
- Resin-induction pruning strategically stimulates resin without compromising survival.
- Proper canopy management optimizes light, air circulation, and growth uniformity.
- Integrated pruning and canopy management directly influence resin quality, yield, and long-term tree productivity.
