SCORING: AN OLD BUT USEFUL TECHNIQUE 



Duane W. Greene and William J. Lord 

 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences 

 University of Massachusetts 



The inflationary spiral has forced apple growers to plant trees more 

 intensively to increase production per acre and per man-hour. We have 

 available to us rootstocks that when matched properly with soil, good horti- 

 cultural techniques, and scion vigor, can result in a highly productive and 

 efficient orchard. However, frequently an error in spacing, poor pruning 

 practices, or frost can result in a situation where trees have filled their 

 allotted space, and yet they remain vigorous and unproductive. Heavy, 

 dormant pruning intended to restrict tree spread can reduce flower bud 

 formation, fruit set, and fruit quality because of excessive shading from 

 vigorous regrowth. Appropriate corrective dormant pruning can reduce but 

 not eliminate this problem. Frequently, Alar" use has been recommended in 

 conjunction with corrective dormant pruning to help control growth and over- 

 come the problem. 



The purpose of this article is to reacquaint readers with the practice 

 of scoring and present our research results which show that scoring may be 

 an effective tool for controlling tree growth and encouraging flower bud 

 formation and fruit set. 



Scoring is a practice used in Europe for many years to restrict vegeta- 

 tive growth and to encourage flower bud formation. Fitzgerald mentioned 

 scoring as an effective technique for this purpose in 1762 when he presented 

 a paper to the Royal Society of London titled '*Exper iments on checking too 

 luxuriant growth of fruit trees, tending to dispose them to produce fruit". 

 The questions ar-i: What is scoring, and is there a place in the modern 

 orchard for scoring? 



Scoring involves cutting through the bark to the cambium completely 

 around the trunk or branch of a tree (Fig. 1). This procedure will tempo- 

 rarily stop the movement of carbohydrates through the phloem to the roots, 

 reducing their growth and thereby restricting vegetative growth and 

 encouraging flower bud formation. Ringing, which involves the removal of a 

 ring of bark from the trunk or branches (Fig. 1), will ierve the same pur- 

 pose but is not recommended since it iJiay severely damage or kill a tree 

 depending upon the width of the band of bark removed and the time required 

 for cambium to replace the bark removed. Once a bridge is restored, car- 

 bohydrate movement can resume. 



Scoring can be done with a number of instruments. We recommend using a 

 sharp linoleum knife, because the shape and size of the handle will allow 

 the pressure necessary to cut all the way through the bark. Care rather 

 than experience is important in scoring. Careless scoring may cause separa- 

 tion of the bark and damage to the tree. A sharp knife or other instrument 

 may also be used as long as the cut is made deeply enough and the severed 

 pieces of bark touch. 



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ade Mark 



