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Formative Pruning a Young Apple Tree
Young apple trees should be pruned & trained over it's first years to ensure the tree is well shaped & growing in a way that optimises the trees fruiting ability.
When to prune
- Dormant Season, avoid frosty & very cold weather
What to use
- Loppers, pruning saw & secateurs
How to prune
Year 1
- Reduce the main stem or central leader by half. This is the main stem & doing this will encourage branches & lead to the development of a ‘V’ shaped tree
Year 2
- Reduce the new main stem or central leader by half, also reduce the lateral shoots by 1/3. Remove any of the lower branches back to the main stem
Year 3
- Reduce the new main stem or central leader by half, Also reduce the lateral shoots by 1/3. Remove any of the lower branches back to the main stem
Following years
- Remove all dead, dying & diseased branches
- Remove any inward growing branches
- Remove branches that are crossing over or rubbing against each other
- Reduce all lateral stems by 1/3
- Remove suckers at base
