Regular and proper pruning of apples works wonders for these fruit trees. Not only are there more fruits, but the apples are also sweeter and tastier. If you were wondering how to prune apples and when is the right time, we have prepared key information for you.
When pruning an apple tree, even a little effort goes a long way. By nature, apple trees tend to produce many leaves and few fruits. Annual pruning serves to thin out the canopy and make room for more fruit, so it is preferable to do it regularly.
Not only does regular pruning result in more fruit, but they are also much sweeter because sunlight reaches the crown, allowing them to fully ripen. That is exactly why it is important to know how and when to prune apple trees.
Prune once a year
As for when to prune apple trees, you should do it every year. Annual pruning helps produce a quality crop. Removing a large amount of branches (one-third of the total amount or more) will cause the tree to produce many leaves and no fruit.
Leaf growth is the tree’s response to stress – it tries to restore its energy-producing structures to sustain itself. Avoid the stress response and lack of fruit entirely by making small cuts every year rather than heavily every few years.
Follow kalendar
Late winter or early spring is the best time for pruning. Make sure to prune the trees when the coldest weather has passed, but before the trees begin to bloom in the spring. Pruning wounds will heal quickly in the spring. Do not prune during autumn or early winter. A cold winter can cause serious damage to recently pruned areas.
Haven’t pruned an apple tree in a while? Here’s how to fix the mistakes
Remove diseased, dead or crossed branches
It is very important to know how to prune apples. Begin pruning the tree by removing problem branches that are obviously diseased, dead, or crossing. Diseased branches are identified by growths or sunken places in the bark.
A diseased branch can also change color. Dead branches are brittle and break easily when bent.
Take care of the central branch
Most apple trees have a central branch or leader that grows toward the sky. The branches extend from the central branch in circles, to give the tree a pyramidal shape.
The central branch provides the main structure or central frame for the tree. Avoid sharp pruning. It can be pruned back a foot or two to keep the tree small and compliant, but it should not be severely pruned or removed.
Give the tree light
Sunlight is an important element in the formation of an apple. Sunlight from your yard must penetrate through the tree tops, reach the buds, and then develop the fruits and encourage them to maturity. Too many leafy branches block the sunlight and stop the development of the apple. An important goal of pruning fruit trees is to remove excessive growth of leaves in the inner part of the tree.
Start by pruning strong, upright shoots. These generally do not bear fruit. Next, prune branches that are closely spaced, leaving branches that grow further from the trunk and optimally spaced from nearby branches. Finally, prune any branches or side shoots that grow toward the center of the tree.
Step away and check what you’ve done
Move away from the tree often during the pruning process. Views from a greater distance will help you see the overall frame of the tree and what needs to be pruned next. Look at the overall shape of the tree. It should have an approximately pyramidal shape. Analyze branch spacing, identify branches that grow too close together.
Make a three-year plan
Bringing an old, overgrown apple into shape is at least a three-year process. Start by identifying the central branch of the tree and the well-placed branches that branch out from it. In the first year, remove individual branches to expose the inner branches to light and air movement.
Be sure to remove no more than one-third of the tree’s total branches. Next year, continue to remove excess growth and open the center to light. In the third year, remove the last excess large parts and cut back the long branches to give the tree a pyramidal shape.
Take care of the corners
The angle at which the branch extends from the central branch often determines its strength. A branch that extends at a narrow angle of 45 degrees or less is prone to weakness and breakage. The strongest branches extend from the trunk at an angle of about 60 degrees.
When pruning, look for tight branch corners and remove them when possible. Encourage a wider angle on young branches by driving a notched stick between the branch and the trunk early in the season.
Source: Better Homes & Gardens
Source: www.agromedia.rs
