can I prune my apple tree now

[mucky1957]

hi guys,

 

first time here...hope this is the right place to post.

 

I bought an apple tree 3 years ago which has 3 different types of apple grafted onto a single stem. There are a huge number of fruit starting to grow along with new growth above all the apples.

 

My question is..do I prune the branches back to just above the fruit so that all the growth is directed into the apples and not the apples AND the new stems above the apples or do I leave the new growth in place

 

thanks

[Goaty]

Depending on variety apples bear new fruit on spur buds and or the tips of previous growth, therefore taking the tips out could have a negative effect on them for fruit next year. I would suggest you read up on your varieties. You can prune apples whenever except cold hard frosty weather.

 

Alec & others will probably be along to better inform you when they sees thisthread

[headgroundsman]

The main reason for summer pruning spur bearing apples is to improve the shape and encourage fruiting spurs to develop. A little light pruning in summer on tip bearing will divert energy to developing fruit from growth that would be pruned out anyway the following winter but as said cutting wood in tip bearing apples will be removing wood that would bear fruit the following year. I am not expert so read up

[mucky1957]

thanks guys.

 

unfortunately the labels have faded with time so all I know is that all 3 types are red dessert apples.Can't offer any more info I'm afraid. The tree is supposed to be a dwarf variety so 'shouldn't' grow too big

I think unless told otherwise I may just leave it for this year. I have masses of fruit forming and am feeding the tree every few days. I don't want to damage/lose any if I can help it.

[headgroundsman]

thanks guys.

 

unfortunately the labels have faded with time so all I know is that all 3 types are red dessert apples.Can't offer any more info I'm afraid. The tree is supposed to be a dwarf variety so 'shouldn't' grow too big

I think unless told otherwise I may just leave it for this year. I have masses of fruit forming and am feeding the tree every few days. I don't want to damage/lose any if I can help it.

It is very normal for some fruit to fall off during June. This is called June drop and although it may look alarming the tree would not support all the fruit that had set anyway. Once the natural June drop is complete it may be beneficial to further thin out the remaining fruit. Some general fertilizer in spring is good but be aware that over use of fertilizer may indeed increase the amount of fruit to fall

Edited June 13, 2015 by headgroundsman
spelling

[mucky1957]

thanks for the info headgroundsman.

 

will cut back on the feeding now and keep an eye out for any loss of fruit.