Cut to Here?

I have an old apple tree in my garden which is a haven for wildlife, excellent screening and of enormous sentimental value. It was last cut back about 3 years ago by my husband and I, with no knowledge of how to do this correctly. We have had quotes to get this done this winter, but at over £300 we would rather attempt it again ourselves. However, I know enough now to know we should take advice from wiser folks than us. Here is a photo of it as it is just now, and another photo with red arrows showing where it was cut to before. Should we cut it back to there again, or cut less off? I don't want to weaken the tree too much. It produces small bitter apples prolifically each autumn, and we leave an adequate supply on the grass to keep our fieldfare going all winter long.

 

Its very congested, probably due to lobbing the top off, I'd thin it out as well. If you want it smaller I would cut it just below the height you want it. I don't blame you wanting to do it your self £300 is way over the top, you can have have a full tree cut down and removed for that price here, tree surgeon are all ways expensive though.

 

Thanks for your advice @Perki. You are right about how overcrowded it is - after we cut it last time it exploded with tall vertical branches (waterspouts?) caused, I think, by trimming it at the wrong time of year.

 

Yes, I suspect that it would be happier, and bear more fruit, if you can clear the centre out a bit so the air and light can get in. I have always understood that an apple tree should be pruned to look like a chalice, or, as an old Frenchman once told me, so that you could throw a hat right through its branches. But I'll be interested to see what more expert voices have to say!

 

Winter early spring is a good time to prune apple trees . Although they should not be pruned very often. I pruned mine two years ago although it is a lot smaller than yours . I removed damage , thinned it out , and basically cut branches back by a third. Your tree is quite a big one but £300 is excessive I think. Lots of how toos on Google.

 

Many thanks to everyone for your very helpful replies. We will use them to tackle the tree.... well, poor husband will because tomorrow I will have a second surgery which will render me unable to lift or move heavy things for a few weeks. However, I will be ideally situated to direct proceedings . It's great to have the advice of so many knowledgeable people .

 

@Irmemac , when your husband cuts the first branch off , ask him to slightly sharpen one end. This can be used to give him a prod when he starts to slow down
I find getting rid of the branches the worst bit , they do take a lot of room up in the car.

 

This is the ideal time to cut it. As has been suggested, it needs thinning out too.

I keep this tree under control in our front garden, by pruning it each year, otherwise it would be as high as our house.

Before, last month.




After taking a foot off all round



I can do all this from the ground. No need for steps or ladders.

I have a Fiskars heavy lopper for thicker branches, this has a "pull cord" action, you can also attach a saw to it.

You can see the thicker branches where I need the Fiskars.

For the higher and thinner branches, I've a Barnel extending pruner.

This one (this isn't me it's the illustration on eBay)



To keep it like this.

 

@HarryS .... love it! Except my poor husband has spent all day here in hospital with me, and has been so kind that I will feel a teeny tiny bit of guilt when I'm prodding him with the sharp end !

@Doghouse Riley - great illustrations of your point. That's exactly what we would like to see happening with the apple tree. Many thanks