A young tree is surprisingly flexible—not just physically, but hormonally. The angle a branch grows at affects how fast it grows, how strong it becomes, and how likely it is to flower and fruit.
Steep, upright branches tend to stay in strong growth mode. Wide, more horizontal branches grow a bit slower and are more likely to form flower buds. That’s because branch angle influences auxin flow and how dominant a shoot behaves.
The easiest time to influence angles is early, while shoots are still soft. You can gently bend branches downward, tie them to a stake, or use simple spacers or weights to open the angle gradually. Small adjustments early beat heavy pruning later.
In practice: aim for wide but not drooping angles, often around 45–60 degrees from the trunk. This creates strong branch attachments, balanced growth, and a structure that can carry fruit without breaking.
Training branch angles is a low-stress way to shape a tree. Instead of triggering lots of regrowth, you’re guiding energy flow—supporting stable roots, calmer growth, and a more resilient whole system over time.
