Résumé
For sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), as for other fruit tree species, there is an increasing interest in learning more about growth and fruiting traits of the tree in order to improve tree training in the orchard, especially for high density planting. The objective of this paper is to give an overview of current knowledge on tree architecture and physiology, and its bearing on training improvement. From an architectural viewpoint, the cherry tree is characterized by two main features: (1) it has upright scaffold branches (secondary bending is due to weight) with lateral flowering on the preformed portion of both short and long shoots; and (2) it is characterized by a strong dimorphism between short and long shoots, with a marked acrotony, i.e., longer laterals are in the top position, just below the annual growth termination. As with other fruit crops, all training and pruning methods are multifunctional, i.e., they have various effects on both tree architecture (distribution of the laterals in the canopy, shoot demography, etc.) and light interception and distribution within the tree canopy. Both of these subsequently influence fruit quality. The same training technique may have synergistic and/or antagonistic effects on architecture and light environment. A critical step, then, is to improve knowledge of the consequences of the techniques used for canopy management. A second step is to develop methods which allow for anticipation of branching and flowering for the following years and not only ones that correct current problems. These critical steps are the basis for implementing the emerging concept of detail or precision tree management to achieve sustainable yields of high fruit quality.