Rules for pruning apple trees in spring from experts

Caring for apple trees involves not only watering, fertilizing, pest control. Pruning apple trees is also an integral part of caring for fruit trees. By regularly performing the procedure, you can increase fruiting.

Content:

• Pruning apple trees: why?
• Features of pruning apple trees
• How to prune old apple trees
• Recommendations for pruning neglected trees

Pruning apple trees: why?

Pruning apple trees involves removing branches at an acute angle. During fruiting, branches can break off from the weight, so this procedure is simply necessary. If there are old, diseased or frozen branches, then pruning is necessary.

This procedure should be carried out every year, or better yet twice – in autumn and spring. After winter circumcision It is best to do it in March or April, before the buds swell. Pruning promotes the formation of the root system and crown, regulates the growth and height of the plant.

This procedure increases the tree’s resistance to frost and various diseases. As a result, it allows open sunlight to reach the fruits, thereby accelerating their ripening process. Spring pruning helps maintain a balance between tree growth and fruiting.

Features of pruning apple trees

Young trees do not yet grow apples, but pruning helps shape the future crown of the apple tree. There are different types of crowns, which differ in different characteristics.It is necessary to decide on the model and perform this procedure as quickly as possible so that the apple tree grows its crown. To perform pruning you will need the following tools:

• Garden knife
• Secateurs
• Garden var
• Hacksaw

Before the procedure, all instruments must be sharpened to avoid torn cuts. It is recommended to prune in April or May. To begin with, trim the seedling without side branches. The length should not exceed 80-85 cm. If there are side branches, then the first tier can be formed.

To do this, cut the bottom branch by 10-15 cm, and the top branch by 50 cm. Branches that intertwine and touch each other also require pruning. If you perform the procedure immediately after planting, you may not return to it for 3-5 years. However, if the branches have grown significantly or are damaged, then pruning is necessary.

Detailed video about pruning apple trees in spring:

The cut can be made on the internal or external bud. The first technique is used to strengthen the central part, and the second is to expand the crown. If the cut is made to an external bud, then the branch is cut so that the upper bud, directed outward, remains. When pruning to an internal bud, pruning should be done leaving the bud directed towards the trunk.

After the procedure, the cutting sites must be handle garden var. This product promotes rapid adaptation of the tree. If the sections are large, then they need to be wrapped in polyethylene and secured with electrical tape. After some time, remove the plastic film and leave only the varnish.

How to prune old apple trees

For old trees, rejuvenating pruning is performed, which promotes increased root growth and the appearance of fruits. Old and dry apple tree shoots must be removed.Pruning old apple trees can be done using two methods:

• Trimming to the same length
• Shortening skeletal branches

These procedures should be performed before the kidneys swell. The length of the branches can be reduced by 3-4 times. If you remove branches up to 4 meters, this can lead to freezing of the tree. It is better to prune old trees every 2-4 years. At a time, branches should be shortened by 1-2 meters and no more.

This method of pruning old fruit trees is characterized by a decrease in yield. A common method among gardeners is gradual anti-aging pruning. The tree on the south side is cut to half the entire length of the crown. The height of the cut branches should not exceed 3 meters, and the width should be about 1-2 meters.

The shoots should be located at a distance of about 70 cm from each other. If their height has reached 10 cm, then they can be safely removed.

After fruiting of the trimmed part of the crown is normalized, the procedure for its other part begins. This method tree pruning It is recommended to carry out along with rejuvenation of the root system. On the side where the crown is cut, you need to dig a trench 60-70 cm deep and up to 4 cm long. The roots should be carefully cut off.

Recommendations for pruning neglected trees

The procedure should be carried out every year. Neglected trees require not only rejuvenating, but also regulatory pruning. In a harvest year, it is necessary to reduce the number of fruit buds. This prevents exhaustion apple trees and promotes the production of large and sweet fruits.

If the year is bad, then you need to reduce the number of buds laid for the next year. It is important to remove diseased branches in a timely manner. After the procedure, it is better to burn them to avoid infection of the remaining branches.

If you properly carry out anti-aging pruning of fruit trees, you can not only increase their service life, but also extend their life. This procedure will also help preserve the tree itself and avoid cutting it down.