Definition

• The term "node" refers to the point on a green shoot or woody stem where you find a bud and where a leaf attaches. The bud found at the node develops into next year's wood and contains embryonic leaves and the tissue needed to generate fruit.
  
  

Types

• When pruning grapevines, you leave nodes on the vine for two purposes. Vegetative or renewal spurs contain a single node that grows into the vine that produces fruit the following season. Fruiting spurs contain up to five nodes that produce the current season's grape harvest.
  
  

Pruning

• The proper number of nodes to leave on a fruiting spur depends on the weight of the pruned wood. Leave at least 30 nodes on fruiting spurs for the first pound of pruned wood and for every pound of wood removed over 1 lb. allow an additional 10 nodes to remain on fruiting spurs.