Pomegranate training - single or multi-trunk?

[SonnyCrockett]

Is a single or multi-trunk tree best?  Looks like some say 1 trunk, others say 3 trunks, and some say 6 trunks.

I'm in zone 8b and was thinking a larger single trunk may be more cold tolerant.  Any thoughts?

[fyliu]

I think it depends on if you have wildlife that strips the bark. Multiple trunks could guard against that. Single trunk will focus the energy and is better if there aren't other concerns.

[miracle]

I train my tree into one trunk. Cutting off other branchs. Umbrella shape is the best... looks clean and easy to pick fruits

[Viking Guy]

Ive done both, and I must say that I prefer the single trunk method for many reasons.

[SonnyCrockett]

I think it depends on if you have wildlife that strips the bark. Multiple trunks could guard against that. Single trunk will focus the energy and is better if there aren't other concerns.

I haven't had any animals chew on the trees here.  Single trunk to focus the energy was my thought as well, since most multi-trunk trees I've seen have very small fruits.  Pictures of commercial groves I saw online (from Italy maybe?) were all of single trunk trees with HUGE fruits.  Maybe it's just the difference between well-kept trees and abandoned trees though.  Not may people around here grow them, so no local knowledge to go off of.  There is a 20' tall local tree at a park with multiple trunks.  It gets covered with fruit every year, but they are all small - larger than golf balls, but smaller than tennis balls.

[Sayan128]

I train my tree into one trunk. Cutting off other branchs. Umbrella shape is the best... looks clean and easy to pick fruits

I just planted one I got from a nursery and it's about 3 feet tall and bushy right now. Should I start pruning it to a single stem now or wait until winter?

[Viking Guy]

I train my tree into one trunk. Cutting off other branchs. Umbrella shape is the best... looks clean and easy to pick fruits

I just planted one I got from a nursery and it's about 3 feet tall and bushy right now. Should I start pruning it to a single stem now or wait until winter?

No need to wait until winter.  Pick the best cane, and get to choppin' the rest.

[spaugh]

It doesn't matter that much but most everything seems easier to manage with 1 main trunk.  My buddy has a massive multitrunk tree and the fruits are large. I will have to take a photo next time I'm at my buddies house, his plant is the size of his garage.  I've also got one thats fairly large with multiple trunks that was here when I moved in.  Neglected tree planted in rock and still makes a decent crop.  I don't do much anything to it at all.  Just a bit of fertilizer once or twice a year and water. 

[SonnyCrockett]

I train my tree into one trunk. Cutting off other branchs. Umbrella shape is the best... looks clean and easy to pick fruits

I just planted one I got from a nursery and it's about 3 feet tall and bushy right now. Should I start pruning it to a single stem now or wait until winter?

No need to wait until winter.  Pick the best cane, and get to choppin' the rest.

Are you guys stripping off the lower leaves and branches when you cut back to one trunk?  Or do you leave them?

[Viking Guy]

Leaves, never.

Branches, however, within 12 inches of the ground are pointless when young.  Cut them off.  As it matures, you can remove branches even higher due to the branches weeping.

If they're touching the ground, then you invite more access points for pests and other issues as well.

You can, however, shorten those branches into thickening and making some lower fruiting wood.  This can work if you have good lighting position, but not as effective at maturity.

[Mango Stein]

I got this pomegranate cutting with 3 prongs that subsequently shot 2 stems of growth from each prong, giving me 6 stems. I want a single-trunk tree, but leaving just one whispy stem at this point seems weird. Though it is protected as it is currently indoors safe from outside heat and wind.

[boxturtle]

depends the shape you want for your tree.....if you what a shrub/brush then multi trunk is easier to achieve this....you can with single truck but a bit harder....for me single trunk...a lot easier to maintain

[fruitlove]

Single trunk for easier maintenance and better fruit production. Focusing the energy into a single trunk keeps too much energy from being diverted to vegetative growth.