[missmoneypenny]

My small apple tree has lots of long, whippy branches that sway with the wind, would it be ok to prune now to prevent wind damage? Or should I wait till February. Thanks.

[Candide]

I'm  far from an expert but we had a lot of long whippy watershoots on ours.  My conclusion from reading up was that winter pruning encourages growth and was probs the cause of those shoots in the first place.  After humming etc I pruned those back in the summer.  I'm guessing you're worried about windrock?    If so then I suppose cutting back between now and March when dormant would be OK and if this stimulates unwanted growth then that could be removed over the summer.
I'd like to see what others say

[missmoneypenny]

Thank you Candide. Pruning is tricky, you get different views from different sources. It’s quite mild  here so I’ll hold off for now although I’m itching to get the secateurs out! It’s the lack of excuses to go to the allotment that bugs me 

[mrs bouquet]

Why don't you just prune them to half of what you have in mind,to help the wind rock, then finish in early spring.    Mrs Bouquet

[missmoneypenny]

Thanks Mrs B that’s actually what I’ve done. A light trim, cutting back the few long whispy branches and mostly leaving the other ones alone, I’ll do a little more in February.