[AlaninCarlisle]

I have a few apple trees, a couple of which, whilst prolific croppers produce apples on very low branches which the rabbits love to nibble. The rootstock appears to be dwarf so I can't look forward to them "growing up" and producing fruit several metres off the ground. My question is, how do I prune them to ensure the future fruits are above rabbit level?

[WeavingGryphon]

I have a few apple trees, a couple of which, whilst prolific croppers produce apples on very low branches which the rabbits love to nibble. The rootstock appears to be dwarf so I can't look forward to them "growing up" and producing fruit several metres off the ground. My question is, how do I prune them to ensure the future fruits are above rabbit level?

What is the root stock?
Don't prune them yet, it's too early in the year. Will reply further later.

[AlaninCarlisle]

I can't recall the names of the three rootstocks but the bushes/trees grow to about 5 ft high and the fruit-bearing branches stick out in arcs like the "spokes" of an umbrella. The weight of the apples means that they end up just inches from the ground

[Gardener and Rabbit]

Would providing the branches with some supports to lift them up off the ground help, without having to prune them out?

G&R

[AlaninCarlisle]

Yes, I did that last year but what a faff with sticks and canes all over the place. I was looking for a pruning solution, if there is one

[Aunt Sally]

Can you pop a picture up of one, Alan ?

[AlaninCarlisle]

Sorry, I don't have a mobile phone to take a photo, just a desk-top PC

[jezza]

Hello are the apples tip or spur bearer theres different pruning techniques fo the 2 types  eg if you pruned all the branches back on a tip bearer you'd have no  crop  on a spur  bearer you'd get a crop on the side of the branches  jezza

[AlaninCarlisle]

The apples are clustered towards the tip end of the branches, hence they overload the branches and get close to the ground. My mistake in buying low growing rootstock

[CHRISDONOHUE]

From what you have said so far, it looks like your apples are tip-bearers on M27 stock which grows to only 5 feet high.   Since they appear to be tip-bearers, if you wish to prune the main branches to an upward-facing bud, you are likely to use at least one year's crop.   I would suggest using a maypole arrangement with soft string tied to the main trunk and adjusted so that the main branches are pulled upwards from the ground.   As the apples form at the end of the branches and increase the strain, I would tighten the string to keep them well above the ground.

[AlaninCarlisle]

Thanks, will try your string advice. Sounds easier than creating a series of "props" around the trees