Gedünnt

Gedünnt is the past participle of the German verb dünnen and is used as an adjective or in compound tenses to indicate that thinning, the reduction of plant density, has occurred. It can appear in passive constructions with haben or sein, for example: Die Beerensträucher sind gedünnt. Die Bäume wurden gedünnt.

In horticulture, agriculture and forestry, gedünnt describes the act or result of thinning out plants, fruits, or branches to improve air circulation, light penetration and overall growth of the remaining plants. Thinning is commonly performed to enhance fruit size, reduce disease pressure and create a more uniform stand. It can be done manually with pruning shears or by mechanical means, depending on the crop and scale. Gedünnte plantings typically require careful spacing and ongoing maintenance to sustain the desired density and health.

Usage and nuance: gedünnt emphasizes the resulting state after thinning has taken place, whereas the related verb ausdünnen (to thin out) is often used for the process itself. In agricultural writing, ausdünnen and gedünnt may appear together to distinguish the act from the end condition. The term is more common in practical horticulture and forestry than in everyday speech, where phrases like “ausgedünnt” or “dünner gemacht” might also be used.

Etymology: gedünnt is formed with the prefix ge- and the verb dünnen, which denotes reducing density. The concept and terminology are closely tied to practices of cultivation, pruning and stand management.