Moved into a new property earlier this year and it has this apple tree. I’m not an expert but it looks a bit butchered to me and I have no idea of a suitable approach to winter pruning – any tips would be appreciated.
Yep, that is some of the most awful pruning, but apples can be very resiliant. It’s worth getting some wider perspective on fruit trees – borrow some books from the library and maybe go on a day course with a local orchard group.
Before you start anything, think about what you are aiming for and why. If your neighbour objects to the tree overhanging their garden, your options are going to be very limited as the tree looks quite close to the fence. The usual approach is to aim for a goblet shape – equally spaced branches at the apex of a vertical trunk, with plenty of space in the centre and the branches and twigs in a single layer around the outside.
Renovating something like this will need to be staggered over several years, with careful consideration about how to take it forward in stages, probably with both winter and summer pruning until you have a basic structure. The good news is that it looks like it still has some vigour so should respond well.
NineG23
I’d say something has gone wrong.. It has lost it’s shape. How does it look in the summer? maybe plant a new one?
kittensposies
Disclaimer: I am no expert!
That looks like it’s had too heavy a chopping in the past and has responded with all those water shoots (long, thin branches). Whoever did it should be in orchard jail. It’s brutal.
I would take around 25% of those branches out, cut them to about a third of their length, and see how it goes next year.
I would not be surprised if this poor tree took a while to recover so don’t let it over—crop (max two apples per spur – remove any excess in June).
P.S. RHS has lots of advice – google their pruning guides.
Unfair_Awareness_634
You’re right to ask before cutting. A bad prune can set it back more than no prune.
TheWitchOfBrentford
Honestly I would call in a tree surgeon to do a first cut, you’re aiming for a goblet kind of shape but because it has been almost pollarded it needs someone with a clear eye to start shaping it.
5 Comments
Yep, that is some of the most awful pruning, but apples can be very resiliant. It’s worth getting some wider perspective on fruit trees – borrow some books from the library and maybe go on a day course with a local orchard group.
Before you start anything, think about what you are aiming for and why. If your neighbour objects to the tree overhanging their garden, your options are going to be very limited as the tree looks quite close to the fence. The usual approach is to aim for a goblet shape – equally spaced branches at the apex of a vertical trunk, with plenty of space in the centre and the branches and twigs in a single layer around the outside.
Renovating something like this will need to be staggered over several years, with careful consideration about how to take it forward in stages, probably with both winter and summer pruning until you have a basic structure. The good news is that it looks like it still has some vigour so should respond well.
I’d say something has gone wrong.. It has lost it’s shape. How does it look in the summer? maybe plant a new one?
Disclaimer: I am no expert!
That looks like it’s had too heavy a chopping in the past and has responded with all those water shoots (long, thin branches). Whoever did it should be in orchard jail. It’s brutal.
I would take around 25% of those branches out, cut them to about a third of their length, and see how it goes next year.
I would not be surprised if this poor tree took a while to recover so don’t let it over—crop (max two apples per spur – remove any excess in June).
P.S. RHS has lots of advice – google their pruning guides.
You’re right to ask before cutting. A bad prune can set it back more than no prune.
Honestly I would call in a tree surgeon to do a first cut, you’re aiming for a goblet kind of shape but because it has been almost pollarded it needs someone with a clear eye to start shaping it.