When to Prune Apple Trees in Washington

Pruning apple trees removes dead or broken branches, improves tree structure or improves fruit development. Focus extensive pruning of fruit trees in Washington during the winter months when they are dormant.

Time Frame

Remove dead or diseased apple tree branches any time of year. Conduct structural pruning of trees from mid-November to mid-April when leaves aren't growing. Branches with diseases pruned away must be destroyed and pruners sterilized between cuts with a rinse of rubbing alcohol.

Considerations

Washington State University Extension suggests thinning out, or pruning away, all tiny apple fruits in a cluster to leave only one fruit, by late spring. Space the remaining single developing apples every 4 to 6 inches along the branch length.

Expert Insight

Gary Moulton and Jacky King, of the Mount Vernon Research and Extension Unit, suggest light pruning across the applet tree to maintain an upright, triangular structure of the canopy. Branch junctions angled between 45 and 60 degrees are strongest and bear the most fruit weight and wind loads.

References

• Washington State University Extension: Pruning Tree Fruit -- The Basics
• Washington State University Extension: Growing Tree Fruit at Home in Eastern Washington