How to Prune Apple Trees in the Northwest

In order to boost apple tree production in the Northwest, it is wise to prune the trees. Pruning apple trees in winter allows you to work on the tree's shape while pruning apple trees in summer significantly increases apple production. Whenever you decide to prune those apple trees, the important factor is to make sure you do it right.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears
• Ladder

Instructions

1. Hold a lateral shoot in your hand. The apple tree is ready to be pruned if the stem is about the thickness of a pencil and the wood is almost ripe.

2. Find the third shoot from the end of the selected branch. Prune the stem back just before the third leaf.

3. Prune just before the second leaf for thinner stems, and just before the first leaf for weak stems.

4. Continue pruning each lateral stem found on each branch.

5. Cut the lateral stems the same way as above on each branch, all the way around the tree. The narrow branches allow more light into the center of the tree.

Tips & Warnings

• Healthy apple trees, older than 3 years, benefit from pruning.

• In cool Northwest locations, apple trees might not be ready for pruning until early August.

• Do not prune the branches of the apple tree that form the main structure of the tree.

• Do not prune the two shoots closest to the ends of the branches.

Resources

• Overview of Tree Fruit Production in the Northwest