Why Prune Apple Trees?
Pruning fruit trees is an important step in maintaining fruit production and the health of the trees. All types of fruit trees benefit from pruning, including apple trees. Prune established apple trees in late winter or early spring, while the trees are still dormant. Proper pruning improves the space between branches, which allows sun and spray applications to reach all the branches. It also makes harvesting easier. Does this Spark an idea?
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Age of Trees
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First year apple tree whips are small and unbranched, usually about 12 to 18 inches tall. Prune newly planted whips in summer when the lateral buds have grown into small leafy branches about 3 to 4 inches long. Choose an upright branch to become the central vertical leader, and allow selected lateral branches to continue to grow from the leader as scaffold branches for the mature tree. This early pruning helps determine the ultimate shape of the tree. Prune older apple trees while they are dormant to maintain the shape of the tree and to rid the tree of dead wood, unproductive branches and damaged limbs.
Improve Tree Health
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Prune out the dead wood in your apple trees to prevent diseases and pest attacks. Remove damaged and broken limbs. Damage may occur from harvesting equipment and harsh winter weather. Ice and heavy snow can also injure tree branches. Check the bark for small holes and signs of insect infestation. Rodents often chew small branches and bark, so prune these branches.
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Increase Fruit Production
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Apple trees produce blossoms and fruit on spurs, which are bud-like outgrowths on branches. Pruning promotes the development of spurs that will bear fruit the next year. Young, vigorous trees may produce too many spurs, or poorly spaced spurs that you need to thin out. Crops that are too heavy can break limbs, especially on dwarf trees. Pruning older trees invigorates them. Older barren can often be brought back into fruitfulness simply by pruning them to encourage new growth.
Aesthetics
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Apple trees require pruning to maintain their shape. They also need full sun. Vigorous trees often produce branches that are too close together or even cross each other, and a tree can actually shade itself too much. Prune close-set branches to open the tree. This creates good air circulation within the tree, which helps prevent diseases. It also lets in sunlight that helps ripen the fruits, increasing the red color in red apples.
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