Pruning Apple Trees - FarmingForumSite.com

Farmersdaughter · #1 05-20-2009, 11:48 AM

I planted a couple of fruit trees a fews ago and know I need to do some pruning - anyone have ideas on the best way and time to do it? I was also told to spray the trees before or just after they bud. Anyone have an organic product they have tried that's been successful?

EditorBob · #2 05-21-2009, 08:01 AM

As luck would have it, we have a feature coming up in the June issue of Growing, our fruit/veg magazine, dedicated to pruning tips and tactics, especially as it pertains to ensuring strong trees that can withstand ice damage. I'll post a link as soon as it's up on the site.

As for spraying, I think it depends on what you're spraying for and what you're spraying. Most label instructions should include ideal timeframes for a given pest/disease. What is it you're spraying for?

The organic question is a good one. I don't know off the top of my head. Let me see if I can find some information for you once I know what you're targeting with the spray.

EditorBob · #3 06-10-2009, 10:18 AM

Just as an update, here's that feature we did on pruning fruit trees: http://www.growingmagazine.com/article.php?id=3526

Hope that helps!

feeco · #4 07-08-2009, 09:05 AM

Nice article. I just read it and passed it along to our neighbor who has a large apple tree in their back yard.

Farmersdaughter · #5 07-08-2009, 09:12 AM

Thank you for your input

Dicehyden · #6 11-10-2009, 02:13 PM

There are different ways to do that basically there are normally two goals when pruning an apple tree:

1. Initially on young trees to encourage a strong, solid framework

2. On mature trees to maintain shape and encourage fruit production

LeslieH · #7 11-10-2009, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farmersdaughter

I need to do some pruning - anyone have ideas on the best way and time to do it? Anyone have an organic product they have tried that's been successful?

Unfortunately, I'm not up to reading the article, but hope to soon!

An old farmer told my grandfather that the best time to prune apple trees was when you had the time to prune them. LOL

I do my 4 - all very old - in late fall. It's when I have time and it's when they're dormant. From what I've seen on my trees, pruning during growing season makes more shoots come out right where you don't want them.

I prune all of the branches that are growing straight up and leave those that are out at an angle, but not a downward angle.

I'm also working very hard to open the canopy up on one that has a natural tendancy to grow incredibly dense. It's a challenge, but after 3 years, it's starting to pay off. Opening the canopy up will keep fungal infections like soot down to a minimum.

If you don't have bugs, don't spray. Especially if you are only growing a few trees and not for sale on the open market, but for home use. If you do get bugs, the timing is right. There are other ways to get rid of the bugs - mainly coddling moths, but it's a little tedious - picking their cocoons off in the fall.

I just planted 3 more apple trees this spring, figuring the 4 are very old and at least 2 aren't long for this world. They are tipping and the wind threatens them with uprooting every storm.

Leslie in NY