Experienced gardeners know that due to a large harvest or dry weather, the branches of fruit trees can break off, which requires strengthening them. There are several ways to make supports yourself, differing in labor intensity, the amount of materials needed and durability.
Simple chat room
It consists of supporting branches with the help of spears. For this purpose, large tree branches, forked on one side, which can be found in the forest, are often used. Boards with a machined arc on one of the edges are suitable, as well as T-shaped structures, where the short transverse part replaces the spear.
Install the support vertically and slightly at an angle to the tree trunk. A branch is placed on the top, under which you can put burlap or other material to protect the bark.
Carousel
A more labor-intensive, but also reliable method. The likelihood of structural failure is much lower in strong winds than when using slingshots. In addition, the carousel does not interfere with gardening work or walking between trees.
Strips are cut from thick rubber with a hole at each end. With the help of a wire threaded through them, the resulting clamps are fixed on those branches that need support. One of them is firmly mounted on the main trunk higher than all the others. Additional wire is used to attach the peripheral clamps to the central one, due to which the branches are supported.
Umbrella chat
Variation of the carousel. The difference is that the central clamp is not attached to the tree, but to the mast standing next to it. Suitable for cases when the plant does not have a pronounced central trunk or is low. The design can be simplified: there is no need to make a clamp for the mast, since it is needed, first of all, to protect the bark. It is enough to wrap the top with wire or make a hole through which the attachments for the branches will be pulled.
Ladder
Two poles with transverse partitions between them like a ladder are attached to the tree trunk. The base is gently fixed, and branches that need support are placed on the “steps”. If necessary, use more main poles - three or four.
If the partitions are made strong enough, the structure can be used as a full-fledged staircase, which will be useful during harvesting.
Telescopic support
The method allows you to dynamically adjust the height of the supports, which is convenient when using the structure for a long time in different trees, branches and conditions.
For manufacturing, water pipes of several diameters are used, but so that one can fit into the other. After this, holes are drilled in the walls: for subsequent height adjustment, it is convenient to make them at different levels with the same step. To support a specific branch, the holes on two pipes inserted into each other are aligned and secured with bolts.
The specific method should be preferred based on the needs and existing conditions: durability with use over several seasons, the extent of the necessary strengthening of the branches, availability of materials and personal experience.
