In viticulture or arboriculture, tying (or binding, or folding depending on the region) is a common practice. It meets certain standards and is particularly useful.
Tying, or folding, is the art of joining the plants of a tree to supports (stems, stakes or wires) in order to hold them in position and thus ensure even distribution of the fruit. Either manually or using a mechanical tool or automatic electrical device, the professional will tie the branches to a support using ties. These ties must be strong enough to last the season, but loose enough (especially in fruit trees) to allow the branches to develop.
An important stage in viticulture, tying is generally carried out after pruning, between February and April. Thanks to this action, the bunches are better distributed and benefit from better exposure to the sun. Quite simply, it optimises fruit growth and ripening. Properly tied, a plant allows a more uniform harvest and facilitates both manual and mechanical picking.
There are different types of vine tying, depending on the size of the vine, the production technique chosen, the region or country, and the climatic conditions:
Tying in fruit trees is an orchard management technique used in only a few cases, such as raspberries, kiwifruit and blueberries. As in viticulture, trellising guides the tree's growth to optimise production and the quality of the fruit harvested. Tying also helps to limit branch sagging under the weight of the fruit and to distribute it evenly to improve ripeness.
Available from the 2023-2024 season, INFACO is offering the AT1000, its new tying machine. It promises major innovations in the tying sector. Everything changes! The ergonomic grip is identical to that of pruning shears, rather than a "pistol" shape, the spout is fixed and has a wide opening that can be adapted to any type of tie, the machine is quick to set up and easy to use, the spool is easy to change, the maxi spool takes up very little space, and there is a removable, interchangeable battery for jobs involving more than 8,000 ties a day.
Pruning and tying are two inseparable techniques, especially in winegrowing. They are decisive and complementary. INFACO, working alongside professionals, has fully understood this and offers a pair of reliable and fast tools:
For professionals, adopting a single brand means simplified work, centralised service and peace of mind all year round. Convinced? Contact your INFACO-approved distributor to get fitted!
