Pruning Apple Trees

Discussion in 'Trees' started by terrier, Dec 15, 2008.

  1. terrier

    terrier Gardener

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    I was always told to prune apple trees right after harvesting the fruits, but recently another gardner told me it's ok to prune them now. So is he correct and can I prune my apple trees in the middle of winter?
     
  2. Pro Gard

    Pro Gard Gardener

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    Plums and pears after fruiting to avoid silver leaf. Apples always mid to late winter.
     
  3. terrier

    terrier Gardener

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    Thanx PG, seems I've been doing it wrong all these years. I pruned back very hard last winter and we had a bumper crop of apples so I'll do the same again this year. We have 1 pear tree that never fruits very well, well most years it doesn't fruit, probably because I'm pruning it too late?
     
  4. Rhyleysgranny

    Rhyleysgranny Gardener

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    Does this include crab apples?
     
  5. lollipop

    lollipop Gardener

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    I am about to prune my new bare root trees back to the third bud on each branch-well more twig at the moment they are only babys. I haven`t ever had to prune a crab apple Granny but yes I would say so.
     
  6. Rhyleysgranny

    Rhyleysgranny Gardener

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    Thank you Lolli. Ijust wondered if it would keep it healthy really. It's laden with fruit every year
     
  7. lollipop

    lollipop Gardener

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    The birds must be very fat and happy near you then Granny.
     
  8. Man Of Leisure MOL

    Man Of Leisure MOL Gardener

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  9. Hedgeman

    Hedgeman Gardener

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    We have lots of crabs (apples that is). Prune them exactly as for spur fruiting apples if they need shaping. Otherwise leave them alone.
     
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