Girdling is a horticultural technique used to improve fruit production by temporarily interrupting the flow of nutrients and carbohydrates from the leaves to the roots. However, improper girdling can lead to serious consequences, including reduced yield, poor fruit quality, and even tree death. To ensure effective and safe girdling, several key practices must be followed.
First, girdling should only be applied to trees with strong callus formation ability, those that are difficult to flower, and varieties that have high growth potential but low fruiting efficiency. It is important not to girdle weak or unbalanced trees, as this can further weaken their vitality and reduce productivity.
Second, timing is crucial. The best period for girdling is usually late May to early June, when the tree's buds begin physiological differentiation. Girdling too early can interfere with new shoot development, while girdling too late (after July) may result in slow wound healing, branch dieback, and poor flowering effects.
Third, the girdling area should be selected carefully. It should be done on the smooth part of the central trunk or main branches, between 15-30 cm from the base. Avoid girdling the main trunk, as this can cause extreme stress, leading to low yields, poor fruit quality, and a shortened lifespan of the tree.
Fourth, after making the cut, it is essential to align the incision properly. The width of the girdling strip should be consistent, and the edges should be smooth to promote faster healing. Rough or uneven cuts can delay recovery and increase the risk of infection.
Fifth, the depth of the girdling should be limited to the phloem layer only. Avoid damaging the vascular cambium or xylem, as injury to these layers can lead to blackened wounds and structural weakness in the branches.
Sixth, the width of the girdling cut should be approximately 1/15 to 1/10 of the branch diameter, with a maximum width of no more than 5 mm. It’s better to make the cut narrower rather than wider, as excessive removal of bark can severely weaken the tree.
Seventh, multiple girdling rounds should be applied selectively. Only main or lateral branches should be girdled, not both side branches and their parent branches simultaneously. If the tree is still vigorous after one round, wait until at least half of the first wound has healed by early July before applying a second girdling, which should be narrower than the first.
Eighth, avoid over-girdling. The amount of bark removed per tree should be based on its growth potential and should not exceed 2/3 to 1/2 of all the branches. Leaving some branches un-girdled allows the root system to continue receiving some photosynthetic products, preventing excessive weakening and premature aging of the tree.
Ninth, some growers mistakenly apply chemicals like formaldehyde or arsenic to the girdling site to prevent rot. This practice can actually kill the tree or branches. Wounds should be left untreated to allow natural healing.
Finally, if the girdling site does not heal within a month, cover it with plastic film to speed up recovery. After girdling, it is important to enhance orchard management by providing adequate water and fertilizer. Apply 0.4%-0.5% urea and 0.2%-0.4% potassium dihydrogen phosphate to supplement nutrients. During the following year's flowering season, manage the number of flowers to maintain a reasonable load, ensuring the tree remains healthy and productive.
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