Balancing growth

[pmalelis]

This is specifically regarding my jaboticaba, but I suspect is the same for many trees. I have upper branches that are in the correct locations but are too thick compared to lower branches that need to "catch up" in caliper. Is the proper method to keep these thicker branches pruned back, while allowing the others to grow unchecked until they are to the desired caliper?

 

[cmeg1]

I am not sure about tropical trees,but that is the general idea with most deciduous.What I did this season on a Chinese elm is to prune the weak growth once early in the season when sap is rising and first flush is strong then a couple weeks later pinch the vigorous areas and I continued pinching the strong areas for the rest of the season.I left the weak areas alone after the one pinch till' next season then I will prune hard and see where we are at on the bottom branches.

 

[Paulpash]

Yes, keep thicker branches back by pruning and leaf removal. Branches accumulate thickness according to the local leaf volume on that branch. Allow thinner branches full unrestrained growth to speed thickening. My advice is to try and identify which elements will be your sacrifice and which will be retained to improve the taper and direction / flow of the branch. You're not just growing for thickness but taper and movement too ... wire the young growth early so you can prune back to this point once the sacrifice has done it's job.