Objective  Differences in spatial distribution and quality of branches between two types of high-grafted loquat trees were examined.

  Methods  Using 5-year-old high-grafted and replanted naturally round head and dwarf open heart-shaped multiple main branch Guifei loquat trees, an improved grid method was applied to compartmentalize into F1, F2, F3, and F4 layers according to plant height measured from the bottom to the top, as well as P1, P2, and P3 zones according to distance from the central trunk for the experimentation. Length, thickness, number of the leaves and angle of representative branches in the target measurement grids were collected. Numbers of the branches, spikes and heading rates of the branches were counted.

  Results  The plant height, curtain layer thickness, crown width, branch number, spike number, branch heading rate, branch angle, and internode distance of the natural round head trees were greater than those of the dwarf open heart-shaped counterparts. Horizontally, the number of branches and spikes of both types of Guifei loquat trees were mainly distributed in the P2, followed by the P1 zone. Vertically, the trees with a naturally round head were largely distributed in the F2 and F3 layers, while the dwarf trees with an open heart-shaped canopy were predominantly distributed in the F2 layer. The heading rate, length, and thickness of the round head-shaped branches were F4＞F3＞F2. The number, spikes, thickness, and angle of the branches in the F2 layer were P3＞P1. The heading rate, branch angle, and internode distance in the F3 layer were P3＞P1. The number of branches and spikes of the dwarf variety were F2＞F3, while the length and thickness of the branches F3＞F2. The number of leaves and internode distance in the F2 and F3 layers were P1＞P3; but the branch angle, P3＞P1.

  Conclusion   The branches on the Guifei loquat trees of two differently shaped canopies grew in the sub-high and sub-outer layers of the plant. The branches and spikes on the canopy of the dwarf open heart-shaped trees were more evenly distributed and had less spaces that grew few or no branches in the inner chamber of the crown making the type of tree potentially more productive than the round head variety.