Autumn Campaign....

[4pygmies]

I know this will make you all groan, as we haven't had much summer yet but I'm trying to be slightly more organised about my pruning this year.......I'm GOING to do a proper job on my humungous hedges this August, I am, really I am........but I need to sort my apple trees out too.
I want to pick your brains about how to prune them. I have two that particularly need a serious hack back. They both had the most enormous crop last year and are not bearing many apples this year. I don't mind that, I think a rest will do them good, but they are getting so large they're beginning to shade my GH too much........
I know I have to cut out the inward growing branches and I am already pruning the twiggy stuff out to feed the goats (their favourite treat) but it's the overall height and circumference that needs sorting now......can I do it with a saw and pruning knife? When? What's the maximum size branches you can safely cut without risking infection to the tree? They were both planted about 14 years ago and have been fantastic croppers - I would like to keep them going as long as possible by treating them right...


Quite irrelevant but isn't it great that the goats muck feeds the trees every year and then the goats get to enjoy the trimmings? I do like a neat gardening cycle like that! (Gives me a warm glow inside although that might be my age...)

[The witch]

I don't know anything about pruning fruit trees 4P, but I do know that trees shouldn't be cut back or pruned while their sap is rising - these jobs are best left until trees are dormant. Although there is one exception to the rule, but I can't remember which tree that is. :

[sweetleaf]

hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC1351.htm

I posted this link earlier in the year for Cranberry.. near the bottom of the factsheet is advice for renovating old trees, hope it helps.

[4pygmies]

Hmmm...I read "correct crotch angles" and well......the mind boggles...well, mine does anyway! Thanks Sweetie...I'm still not sure about branch sizes though. I think I might have to let OH loose with the chain saw (always slightly risky). Am I really limber enough to climb up a tree and saw things.......? Is the tree really strong enough to take the weight of a short chubby lumberjack...?

I always wanted to be a lumberjack........

[willow930]

I am useless at pruning and in the past I used to take my tools and my BOOK outside to do a good job. Never any apples. Last year I decided to go for the old gnarled look, never mind the apples, so hacked it right back. This year loads of apples on spurs.
One thing I do know is that before you start, work out if the trees are SPUR fruiting or TIP fruiting as the techniques are different.
Also when you have cut a thickish branch you must gently follow the outside edge of the cut round with a sharp knife against your thumb to smooth the bark edge to help the wound start healing.
Hope this helps.

[4pygmies]

Thanks Willow - I went to google to do some research after reading your post and found this:

www.ciao.co.uk/Apple__Review_5555165

It seems quite thorough and clear...but, like you, I think I may have to print it off and refer to it whilst sitting up the trees!