Try to imagine how the branches will look when weighed down with leaves and fruits will they rub against a branch below? If you spot two branches that are likely to cross in the future, prune one of them out now. Cut out crossing branches to prevent them from rubbing, which can provide access points for disease They will also make it harder air to circulate, and make harvesting more awkward. If two branches cross, they will rub away the bark and potentially provide an entry point for disease. Make the cut into healthy wood to ensure the problem doesn’t spread. If the wood shows obvious signs of any malady, amputate it. There are five main points you need to keep in mind while pruning: 1. This helps combat potential issues with fungal diseases and lets in light to ripen the fruits. Aim for a goblet shape with plenty of airflow to the centre of the tree. The main aim when pruning is to produce a healthy tree.

Cut out the 3Ds – dead, dying and diseased wood How to Prune an Apple Tree As long as they’re dormant they won’t mind a little surgery, no matter how low the temperature drops. Pruning apple trees in frosty weather does no harm whatsoever. This means that they’re fully dormant and won’t grow any more until the weather warms up. Wait until the leaves have fallen off instead.

Pruning apple trees in the fall can encourage them to send out fresh new shoots that aren’t tough enough to withstand cold weather. Don’t be tempted to prune too soon in the belief that doing so in warmer weather will be better for the tree. Winter pruning commences, unsurprisingly, during the colder months. Summer pruning of apples helps encourage fruiting and flowering, but winter pruning is essential for controlling their shape and vigor. So whether you’ve got just one or two apple trees to prune or a whole orchardful, arm yourself with pruning shears, loppers and a pruning saw, follow the guidelines below, and fear no more.

But to get the best from them it pays to learn a few simple techniques so you know when, what and how to prune effectively. If you’re a nervous pruner, apple trees are a good place to start – they’re tough plants and very forgiving. Some gardeners get the raving heebie-jeebies when faced with a pruning task.

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