Apple trees

[Tree Love]

Hi guy's and girls,

I have got two Apple trees to prune and cut back pretty hard. When's best to do them ? The owner would like them done ASAP. But I don't want to damage the trees.

 

Your thoughts on this would be really appreciated.

[Peasgood]

About a month ago.

 

Can still be done but far from ideal.

[Commando]

I would think you are too late this year, should be done when they are dormant. Nov-early March.

[agg221]

If you are going to cut them back hard then I would go for summer pruning - around June but don't leave it until after August. I suggest going for a drop-crotch approach to minimise regrowth and then keep the water shoots under control. Try to go for a single layer structure if the shape is up to it - otherwise it may be worth looking for opportunities to form a new framework if it has gone too high and died out underneath.

 

Alec

[ArthurBottlesworth]

Hi guy's and girls,

I have got two Apple trees to prune and cut back pretty hard. When's best to do them ? The owner would like them done ASAP. But I don't want to damage the trees.

 

Your thoughts on this would be really appreciated.

 

Might be worth saying where you are

Plymouth very different to Aberdeen

[Tree Love]

Ok thanks, I'm in Essex. They need an awful lot of work serious amount of dead wood in them.

[agg221]

Where roughly in Essex (and photos would help)?

 

Alec

[wailen]

June is just around the corner for your drastic cuts -- but you can do light trimming anytime, I've heard. A tree is a living thing, don't forget -- and fruit trees can be especially vulnerable to damage. And when you're pruning up top, keep in mind that the roots are growing too -- think about what's down there with those roots. Plumbing? Sewage? Overgrowth up top is a good red flag that you may have too much growth down below too.

[sandspider]

Had mine done in Feb 2012. (Drastic pruning) Looking good now, recovered fine, and sprouting lots of thin new branches from the big old stumps.

[Gollum]

when they are dormant.

Nov to Feb.

other wise they are very susceptible to silver leaf,

June is for suckers and light pruning.