How to Trim an Apple Tree

Trimming, or pruning, apple trees is done to encourage strong growth in young trees and to maintain shape and promote fruit production on older trees. It also helps air circulation and light penetration---two important factors for tree development and pest control. In most cases, you want to trim your apple trees in the early spring or late winter before the new growth begins.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pruning shears
• Ladder

1. Prune a 1-year-old tree shortly after it is planted by cutting off the top half of the trunk, or leader. Make sure the bottom half of the tree contains at least four buds. If necessary, cut about 3 to 4 inches above the fourth bud, even if this is above the halfway mark.

2. Trim about a third off of any new growth on older trees. Do not trim more than 50 percent of growth unless it is diseased.

3. Cut above an outwardly (away from the trunk) facing bud to ensure that the tree produces a side shoot that grows in the right direction.

4. Cut the central leader, or the central main branch, about 20 to 28 inches above the highest usable scaffold whorl. A scaffold whorl is a collection of three to four branches at about the same height.

5. Remove any smaller side shoots that appear below your main scaffold (the frame of your tree), known as suckers.

6. Trim away any dead or diseased wood and dried apples during the fall.

Resources

• Training and pruning deciduous fruit trees in the home garden
• How to Prune Apple Trees
• How to Prune an Apple Tree