What are spur pruning characteristics?

• A. Long sections of one-year-old wood with 8-20 buds laid horizontally.
• B. Short sections of one-year-old wood cut back to two or three buds.
• C. No pruning required.
• D. Removal of entire trunk.

Answer: (B)

Spur pruning is a vine-training method where the previous season’s wood is cut back to short sections on the permanent framework, leaving only two to three buds per spur along the cordon or trunk. Those tiny spur stubs will produce a few shoots next year, with a controlled number of fruiting buds. This approach gives precise control of yield and vine balance, keeping vigor in check and making winter pruning more predictable.

Long sections of one-year-old wood with many buds describe cane pruning, which aims to use long canes with 8–20 buds. Saying no pruning is required isn’t correct because spur pruning is an intentional process to shape the vine and manage production. Removing the entire trunk is not a pruning method used for regular vineyard management.