Steyning Community Orchard: Pruning your Apple Trees

Spring is quickly approaching us and if you have not had a chance to prune your apple trees this autumn/winter you may have a last few days or weeks to sneak in a last-minute prune. So, let us have a look at some of the basic principles of pruning
Most fruit trees can be pruned in the winter but some (like the cherries) have specific times of year when you should prune. If in doubt do some quick internet/book research.

Why should we prune a tree whilst it is dormant?
Basically the tree has no more work to do for the year; it can sit doing nothing for autumn and winter and be ready for a new year’s work in the spring.

Once spring has sprung the first thing the tree can do is put all its efforts into healing itself and then start its usual cycle of growth, reproduction and storage of energies for the year. If you interrupt this cycle, it may harm the tree. The tree probably would rather not be pruned, but if you are going to do it, then help the tree as best you can be doing it at the right time and doing it properly.

But how do we prune a tree properly?
Firstly, get the right tools for the job: A good pruning saw and a sharp, clean pair of secateurs.

Next, look at the tree and think about how you would like the tree to look once you have pruned it.
If it needs to be made smaller then you should aim to take about one third of the crown away at most. So look at the crown and try and find a nice shape of the tree about one third of the way in from the tips of the outermost branches.

If it just a routine maintenance prune then reduce the new growth by one third. You should also be looking to clear out the heart of the tree and allow the air to flow freely around the crown. You should ideally be able to throw a hat through the tree! Remove any dead branches and any branches that are rubbing against each other from within the crown, and take out other branches that are growing towards the centre or the top of the tree. You want the branches to grow towards the light and to a place where you can reach the apples that will grow. Be careful with your cuts and ensure your tools are clean and start to work on the tree. Look for a bud, or a new shoot or a bit where a leaf may have fallen off, this is where you should cut to. If it is small enough to cut with secateurs, support the bit you are going to cut off with one hand and cut the branch with a clean cut. If this goes slightly wrong and a bit of bark tears or the cut does not look clean, then look for the next growth point and do it again, leaving a nice clean wound.

If you need to use a pruning saw then go a bit up from the growth point and cut 2/3 of the way through the top of the branch with your saw. Then put the saw underneath and slightly away from the first cut and cut 1/3 of the way through the branch until the branch pinches the saw. Take the weight off the saw by lifting the branch slightly, remove the saw and then snap the branch off. Finish the job by making a nice clean cut just in front of the growth point.

Finally, stand back and look at the tree and see how it looks. If it looks OK, leave it alone, let nature take its course next year and see how the tree recovers.

Try and leave the tree for a few years to recover and store up its resources for the next time it needs pruning.

If you have any questions then please feel free to contact us at the Community Orchard or have a chat with a local gardener or tree surgeon!

Good luck!