I would like some apple tree pruning advice please

  • 11 Replies
  • 3721 Views
*

wbmkk

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • 204
I would like some apple tree pruning advice please
« on: February 16, 2014, 15:26 »
I've just planted two apple tree (Bramley Seedling and Jonagold) in pot, which will be temporary homes only, until the allotment dries out.

Now I need to prune them, but I really have no idea what to do.

I want a half standard (I think) ... a 'tree shaped' tree.

Below are a couple of pictures, two for each tree

I've numbered each branch, so if folk here can give me an idea of how to prune, would be very grateful.

To prevent confusion, I suggest a % figure is given for each branch, based upon

0% cut right next to the main trunk / stem

33% cut 1/3 the way along, so removing 2/3 of the growth.

50% cut 1/2 way along

For the main trunk / leader, please just give a height for the cut.

For the Bramley, the main stem is exactly 5 ft in height. The very end bud is damaged.

For the Jonagold, there are two long stems



I can not upload the Jonagold one, so for now any advice on the Bramley would be appreciated please.
« Last Edit: February 16, 2014, 15:28 by wbmkk »

*

Kleftiwallah

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: North Wiltshire
  • 4026
Re: I would like some apple tree pruning advice please
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2014, 15:41 »

As it is a new tree, I would have thought to leave it a year to get established.  But I'm happy to be corrected.

Cheers,   Tony.
I may be growing OLD, but I refuse to grow UP !

*

diospyros

  • Guest
Re: I would like some apple tree pruning advice please
« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2014, 18:13 »
I would cut off J, because it is broken. 
D, because it is curving up into the tree.
K, because it is a bit pointless.
E, just for good measure.

and leave it at that.  All to be cut off at the stem or rather at the collar which means not quite flush with the stem, look for the wrinkly bit.

*

sunshineband

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Reading, Berkshire
  • 32056
  • Tallest Sunflower prizewinner 2014
    • A Little Bit of Sunshine
Re: I would like some apple tree pruning advice please
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2014, 22:12 »
I would cut off J, because it is broken. 
D, because it is curving up into the tree.
K, because it is a bit pointless.
E, just for good measure.

and leave it at that.  All to be cut off at the stem or rather at the collar which means not quite flush with the stem, look for the wrinkly bit.

and I would also take out A down to the centre, where it joins F, as this will enable you to make an open cup shaped tree in the future.

« Last Edit: February 16, 2014, 22:13 by sunshineband »
Wisdom is knowing what to ignore - be comfortable in your own skin.
My Blog
My Diary
My Diary Comments

*

diospyros

  • Guest
Re: I would like some apple tree pruning advice please
« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2014, 06:29 »
and I would also take out A down to the centre, where it joins F, as this will enable you to make an open cup shaped tree in the future.

That depends how high off the ground the current tier of side branches are, and what rootstock it is on.  I was chickening out a bit on that.  My experience is mainly in advising on trees which will eventually have cows grazing under them!  And in that context, we had moved away from cup-shaped trees because in later life they are prone to collapsing in the middle.

*

wbmkk

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • 204
Re: I would like some apple tree pruning advice please
« Reply #5 on: February 17, 2014, 08:17 »
Many thanks

Now for the other tree. Sorry, but I can not turn it around.

Branch A goes to a height of 238cm (from the soil level) and B 220cm

« Last Edit: February 17, 2014, 08:25 by wbmkk »

*

4 Seasons

  • Full Member
  • **
  • Location: North Lincolnshire
  • 79
Re: I would like some apple tree pruning advice please
« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2014, 10:28 »
  :lol: Forgive me for laughing but that is the cleverest posting I've seen on here. I don't know how you do it but I wish you'd come round and give me some computer lessons. It's a bit like drawing dot to dot that my grandson does.

Anyway if you want a compact bush shape cut down the main leaders by about a third, that's A in the first picture and B in the second. You won't kill the tree and leave everything else to get established. Your main prune will be next year I think by which time you will need the entire alphabet.  :lol:
« Last Edit: February 17, 2014, 11:44 by 4 Seasons »

*

sunshineband

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Reading, Berkshire
  • 32056
  • Tallest Sunflower prizewinner 2014
    • A Little Bit of Sunshine
Re: I would like some apple tree pruning advice please
« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2014, 10:38 »
I would do exactly the same as 4Seasons --- this looks just like my Braeburn before I pruned it at the weekend  :lol:

Yes, I know yours is the Jonagold  ;), I was just commenting

*

NewSteve

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: South Manchester
  • 125
Re: I would like some apple tree pruning advice please
« Reply #8 on: February 17, 2014, 12:03 »
I planted out three pot-grown dwarf bushes last October (M27 2 year bush trained, 12L pot). They came from Orange Pippin, whose advice is not to prune at all in the first year (but that advice differs depending on age & type of tree e.g. bare root vs pot).

Anyway, they look not unlike wbmmk's. So I'm currently following advice and not pruning at all, but I guess I could cut back the leader for more of a goblet shape? What I'm concerned about is longevity and yield, rather than aesthetics!

Never stop learning

*

sunshineband

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Reading, Berkshire
  • 32056
  • Tallest Sunflower prizewinner 2014
    • A Little Bit of Sunshine
Re: I would like some apple tree pruning advice please
« Reply #9 on: February 17, 2014, 12:21 »
NewSteve, taking out the leader will ensure the tree grow more side branches, that are then productive, rather than one long thin branch coming out of the top of the tree.

The 'goblet shape' allows a good air flow through the tree and reduces branches rubbing together. You also have easy access throughout the tree, so can spot any issues and deal with them quickly, and thin fruit easily too.

It is not the only shape a tree can be trained into of course, and if you just leave it all alone it will produce fruit. Trained trees tend to be more productive, and produce more good quality fruit.

Aesthetics do come into it for some people (depends where the tree is perhaps) but for me it is more about productivity.

*

NewSteve

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: South Manchester
  • 125
Re: I would like some apple tree pruning advice please
« Reply #10 on: February 17, 2014, 15:26 »
Thanks sunshineband. I think I'll (nervously) take out the leaders then.

*

diospyros

  • Guest
Re: I would like some apple tree pruning advice please
« Reply #11 on: February 17, 2014, 18:17 »
I would cut back all these branches, but I would leave the leader longest to allow it to continue to dominate.  This doesn't need to mean a long thin branch coming out of the top of the tree, because you can allow it to form another tier of side branches higher up.  The tree is obviously very vigorous and not inclined to branch much, and leaving the leader long will suppress the others so you can encourage them to branch more.



xx
Pruning apple tree advice

Started by Tenhens on Grow Your Own

6 Replies
1894 Views
Last post March 15, 2017, 12:46
by Paul Plots
clip
Apple Tree pruning advice

Started by Potty Plotty Lotty on Grow Your Own

7 Replies
1343 Views
Last post December 17, 2020, 18:38
by Growing Weather
clip
Apple + pear tree pruning advice sought

Started by wasthiswise on Grow Your Own

3 Replies
1338 Views
Last post October 03, 2013, 05:27
by gobs
xx
Apple tree pruning

Started by AlaninCarlisle on Grow Your Own

10 Replies
1109 Views
Last post July 27, 2020, 12:56
by AlaninCarlisle
 

Page created in 0.407 seconds with 38 queries.

Powered by SMFPacks Social Login Mod
Powered by SMFPacks SEO Pro Mod |