The ability of annual developing branches to extract growing branches. Branching ability is an important growth habit of fruit trees, which is usually expressed by the proportion of growing branches in buds, called branching rate.

The strength of branch formation mainly depends on tree species and varieties, but it is also affected by factors such as tree age, cultivation management, pruning degree and rootstock. Generally, the branch strength of picking is stronger than that of apples, and the branch strength of apples is stronger than that of pears. The order from strong to weak among different apple varieties is: Hongyu, Zhuyu, Wojin, Jinguan, Jiguan, Hongxing, Fuji, Green Banana and Guoguang. The branching ability of short-branched varieties is weaker than that of common varieties. The branching ability of different varieties is related to the development degree and composition of buds. All varieties with small lateral buds, few bud scales and short bud axis on long branches generally have strong branching ability. The branch forming ability gradually weakens with the increase of tree age, and increases with the increase of short cutting degree. Growing under the conditions of deep soil layer, fertile soil, sufficient water and good ventilation can improve the branching ability.

Varieties with strong branches are easy to select and retain backbone branches in plastic surgery, and young trees grow fast and form early. Pay attention to the timely transformation and utilization of long branches except backbone branches, and it is easy to obtain early high yield.