Today we are going to see how to prune an apple tree, which can be applied to other fruit trees to improve production. It is also important to note when apple trees are pruned for this to be effective.
You have fruit trees and you don’t dare prune them? You may think this is a very complex task or you are afraid of doing something wrong and damaging the tree. But if you believe that letting the tree grow freely will save you from making mistakes. You should know that the first mistake you made was not pruning on time.
Pruning apple trees and other fruit trees
I will try to help you overcome your fears and I will give you 3 reasons to prune an apple tree so that this practice (in all the fruit trees and plants that require it) becomes one of the most important activities in your orchard or garden:
You will improve the health of your treebecause by pruning the branches that grow inwards, you will favor the aeration of the crown.
In this way, more sunlight penetrates inside the tree, preventing the formation of dark and humid areas where pests could develop.
The second reason is that by carrying out a correct pruning we help our tree develop in a balanced waycontrol vegetative development and distribute the weight of the main branches to prevent them from bowing due to excess weight in a specific area, or even breaking branches due to production imbalance.
Finally, with the pruning of the apple tree or any other fruit tree, you will get your more productive treesince the sap will be distributed only by healthy branches, favoring their development and vigor, and therefore, it will improve the quality of fruit production.
How to prune an apple tree
Now that you know pruning is important, you may be wondering: how do you prune an apple tree and how do you know which parts of the tree need to be pruned?
In the video we teach you how to differentiate the parts of an apple tree (although this is also valid for pruning pome fruit trees such as pear or quince). It explains perfectly where the size should be applied and which parts should not be touched, but we start with choosing the right scissors.
Although this may seem insignificant, it is not. Good scissors, sharp and clean (and how to say, they must be cleaned with alcohol before and after use) are essential to start. I recommend those which for me have the best value for money:
Professional Secateurs Kamikaze KM1-M Force.20mm Ø. Sheet…
- TEFLON COATED AND SPECIALLY SHARPENED BLADE: Thanks to the design of its ergonomic handle with non-slip grip and leverage effect, we manage to reduce the effort of 25% during the most demanding jobs.
- SECURITY LOCK: comfortable security system with easy opening and closing with one hand.
- BYPASS CUTTING SYSTEM AND HIGH QUALITY SHARP BLADE made of carbon steel alloy with anti-rust treatment, sap and rust resistant. 50mm blade. Curved blade cutting head…
- RESISTANT AND LIGHTWEIGHT: With only 200g in weight, they are ideal for professional and home use. They can cut all types of wood and prune up to 20 mm in diameter.
- BRAND KAMIKAZE: Spanish brand specialized in pruning, harvesting and agricultural tools. Created more than 20 years ago, it has gained a place in the market thanks to its wide range and its excellent relationship…
Kamikaze (Con Z) brand tools are one of the specialist pruning tool brands of the Sanz Group with over 30 years of experience in the agriculture and garden industry.
Pruning the apple tree: the steps to follow
We start with which branches must be cleaned (internal cleaning and cleaning of damaged branches), prioritizing those damaged then those that descend or enter the tree.
Then in our process of pruning an apple tree, we learn how to differentiate the bud, find the treetop balance, and make the cut and apply the healing putty. so that the cuts do not become a source of disease for the tree, through fungi or rainwater.
As you have seen in the video, it is important to know how to differentiate wood shoots from flower shoots, and also to be able to identify in which parts of the tree the best fruits will form, such as lamburdas and brindillas .
When to prune an apple tree
As a good Asturian, I personally love the world of apples and I am going to entrust you with a curiosity: “Statistics say that there are more than 7,000 different varieties of apples in the world and that if a person wanted to taste them all, he take 20 years.
To know when to prune apple trees and when to do it, you must take this into account because different varieties of apple trees can have different vigor and fruiting habits, but especially over time. The time to properly prune the apple tree is during winter, preferably at the end of that season.
If you’ve decided to take your first steps and prune an apple tree, don’t worry! In the video I accompany you in the first steps that you must take in order not to be mistaken. Do you dare to carve with me?
Be sure to check out the tutorial where I explain how to germinate apple seeds to plant in the orchard.
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