Hi All,

I've mentioned a couple of times that I am planning on growing my fig trees in Colorado as a single cordon due to space considerations (both growing space and storage space).  My thought is the trunk will be straight up about 6-7 feet, and branching will start about 12" above the growing mix line.  The plan is at the end of the season the tree will be shaped somewhat like a cylinder before the limbs are cut back to 1 or 2 nodes.  

My concern is the lower limbs of my other trees seem to grow much more vigorously than those higher up on the trunk.  I have read the tendency is for growth at the terminal bud, but when it is removed auxins and IAA is diverted to the lateral buds causing them to be the new terminal buds.  In a tree, however with multiple branches (terminal buds), does the pinching of one retard the growth of that limb in favor of more vigorous growth in other limbs? Or do the new terminal buds on the limb pick up the vigor where the old bud left off?

Thoughts or observations?

Thanks

I have only pinched for fig production, and have only observed that unless the side branches are removed young, they will act as multiple trunks with as much vigor as the first one.  When I do pinch for fig production, the pinch only affects the branch I pinched by causing it to sprout many side branches with more shoots, leaves and figs.

Suzi

James,
I don't know that I am answering your specific question, but I have been pinching the last couple of years and have noticed a couple of things. Keep in mind that I am training to a 3-4 trunk bush form on mostly in ground trees.
Pinching the tip of a trunk results in lateral branching and decreases overall height due to the delay caused by the need to form a new terminal.

The tallest of the trunks will grow the fastest so it is necessary to pinch all to similar heights to maintain balance. I also feel like pinching encourages suckers to form, which might be a particular headache for you.

I look forward to hearing how this system works for you.