Apple Tree Pruning.

[button1803]

Hi guys,

 

Have searched the forums and am aware their are many threads im sure about this but just like to ask the question:

 

• When is the best time to prune an apple tree?
  

 

the customer who's tree it is, wants it raised up to 6ft, wants the whole tree brought in tighter and all the upward growth removed.

I have suggested a thin through which she is happy to go with.

 

But its full of healthy crop of cooking apples but am i right in saying its best once the crop has fallen, october time roughly?

will alot of pruning cause too much stress to the tree?

 

Thanks guys.

[alex_m]

shaun, you cannot kill an apple tree. they are one of the most resilient species of tree out there!

with this in mind, prune any time. but if removing all growth, new shoots won't produce apples for a couple of years.

[delabodge]

I personally prune all my fruit trees in spring,march time after frosts and just before growth spurts,,,if the customer cares about there trees,then your opion counts,sometimes they just want you to crack on,,,tough descion,,,,

[agg221]

Generally speaking there are two forms of pruning - summer pruning and winter pruning, which are self explanatory.

 

Winter pruning is used to generate vigour. Summer pruning will generally reduce vigour. Winter pruning is generally from October to March - the earlier in that window you prune, the more vigorous the response. Summer pruning is usually June/July, but you could do it now.

 

The description you give of the work that's being asked for, and the fact that it's a cooker and they tend to be more vigorous in general, suggests that about now wouldn't be a bad time to do it, if the customer doesn't mind the reduction in crop.

 

Alec

[slack ma girdle]

Generally speaking there are two forms of pruning - summer pruning and winter pruning, which are self explanatory.

 

Winter pruning is used to generate vigour. Summer pruning will generally reduce vigour. Winter pruning is generally from October to March - the earlier in that window you prune, the more vigorous the response. Summer pruning is usually June/July, but you could do it now.

 

The description you give of the work that's being asked for, and the fact that it's a cooker and they tend to be more vigorous in general, suggests that about now wouldn't be a bad time to do it, if the customer doesn't mind the reduction in crop.

 

Alec

 

Sums it up

:dito:

[Fungus]

Generally speaking there are two forms of pruning - summer pruning and winter pruning

 

The main risk in pruining Malus is that the pruning surfaces get infected by spores of Inonotus hispidus or Polyporus varius, which are most present in the fruiting season of the annual bracket fungi, releasing their spores from late July or the beginning of August until the end of October to November, or by spores of Pholiota aurivella, which presence is more confined to September and October.