Apple trees are great for enhancing the landscaping of your yard, as well as having tasty fruit readily available when it’s in season. But what good is an apple tree if it isn’t properly cared for all year long?
Pruning apple trees is essential for improved growth of new trees, as well as better fruit production for trees of all ages. With proper pruning, you can give your apple tree a solid framework that will play a vital role in healthy fruit production, according to Buzzle.com. Weekend Gardener suggests that the best time for pruning is during the winter, or early spring, during the apple tree’s most dormant state before new growth begins. There are several places you should prune out, like suckers, stubs or broken branches, as well as any branches that rub or criss-cross, whorls, or competing leaders to name a few. Other key things to include in apple tree pruning include:
- Grooming the trunk as the central leader of the pyramid shape. If you’ve planted a whip (a tree with no branches), cut the trunk at about 32 inches. This will help stimulate branches to grow along the trunk.
- For trees that already have side branches, cut the trunk at 32 inches, and cut off any branches on the trunk between the ground and 24 inches high. Side branches should be trimmed to 2 to 4 inches, with no more than 2 buds on each branch stub.
- In the first winter, choose 3 to 5 branches to serve as “scaffold branches,” – branches that spiral around the trunk of the tree. Allow for about 4 inches of vertical distance between each branch and cut off other side branches, as well as any vertical branches that compete with the leader. You will need to repeat this step each winter until you have 3 or 4 sets of scaffold branches.
- For mature trees or those that have been neglected, more extensive pruning is required. Each year, you must remove broken branches and weak stems, as well as thin out new growth just enough to allow for light to filter through for mature trees. In the case of neglected trees, extensive corrective pruning must be a main objective to allow for adequate light penetration.
Proper tree care is a must to keep your trees looking great for many years. This is even more so important in the case of fruit trees, as proper care and pruning will result in the best fruit production possible. If you’re not sure what to do, call Cartwright Tree Care at 816-965-6758. We can provide cost estimates within 24 hours of your inquiry, so contact us today!
Photo credit: Buzzle.com.