Pruning apple trees …..

Pruning apple trees can be a daunting task, and in some cases may seem a little harsh, but for optimum tree grow with an abundance of healthy apples each year, pruning your apple tree is important.

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Pruning apple trees should happen when it is in its dormant state in the winter, doing so will ensure a bountiful crop the following season. Apple trees that are left un-pruned can become congested with with old branches.

First things first, wear the appropriate safety gear when pruning apple trees. If your apple tree is overgrown, you need to make a ‘plan of attack’, and set aside a long afternoon. Other important points to consider are:

In the winter our garden tools are not always at there best, but always use sharp instruments when pruning. Using blunt instruments can lead to an unclean cut which could encourage infection.

Start by removing the weakest looking branches as well as branches that are congested or rubbing together.

It’s best to keep the middle of your apple tree open.

On spur-types, trim back your apple trees previous seasons growth to about a third and taking it to a bud.

On spur-types again, cut back side-shoots on your apple tree in keeping with the main structure. If you have not got the room to allow secondary branches, take them to roughly 5 buds.

The main aim of pruning apple trees is to encourage fruiting spurs (on spur-type systems), as well as keeping the middle open so air can circulate discouraging disease and other problems, as well and allow sunlight to ripen your apples. In a regulated system, removing dead wood, rubbing branches and stopping congestion is the main aim. With the regulated method, you may have to remove large branches, which it may be prudent to cover over the sawn area with any of the specialist paints available, whilst not necessary, it may be worth while – check out our recommended apple tree accessories here.

Another aspect to keep in mind when pruning apple trees is that if one is too vigorous in its early years, it may produce more wood than is needed, and take longer to fruit. An indicator of when to start pruning is when it has about 4 main branches, but that is a whole new topic which we will be writing about soon.

Apple tree pruning, whilst hard work, will reward you with generations worth of delicious healthy apples.