[Grubbypaws]

I have an apple cordon which is vigorous and needs pruning to maintain its cordon shape.The books say to prune at the end of August which is now. But it is covered in apples that are not quite ready for picking. Should I wait until I have harvested the apples so that they have the benefit of all the foliage which would otherwise be cut off? I always find pruning apple trees a headache! Advice would be very much appreciated.

[Gardener and Rabbit]

Hi Grubbypaws, if it helps I've just Summer pruned my apple cordons with fruit on, and pears similarly a little earlier. It doesn't seem to bother the fruit, there's no drop, and they get a bit more sunlight. Like you say, you're doing it to help keep the shape, and encourage the new wood you keep to mature and make next year's fruiting buds. G&R