Fig. 1. A spur-pruned vine

Cordon-trained vines are typically spur pruned (the practice is sometimes referred to as cordon pruning). Just as with cane pruning], the positions of cordons, or arms, are established by the training process, and all fruiting and renewal spurs arise from this area. The spurs should be evenly spaced, roughly a hand-width apart, along the cordon, and oriented in the proper direction (up or down depending on the training system). Select suitable canes for the new fruiting spur and renewal spur using the same criteria described for cane pruning. Remove the old fruiting wood from the previous season. Shorten the selected fruiting cane to create a fruiting spur containing two to four buds, depending on the fruitfulness of basal buds and the desired cropping level. Cut the renewal spur cane back to one bud. Similar to cane pruning, selection of canes for spurs should take into consideration the position of the cane on the cordon. Select canes to keep the spur as close to the cordon as possible and to maintain the desired spacing between spurs. Wood the diameter of a number 2 pencil is ideal for spur material.

If wood diseases are a high risk, all prunings should be removed from the vineyard and disposed of away from the vineyard.


Fig. 2. Spur pruned vine during the growing season

Reviewed by Eric Stafne, Mississippi State University and Sara Spayd, North Carolina State University