When it comes to apple trees, winter pruning between January and March is actually the most important tree pruning for tree he alth and yield. However, a replacement or additional cut in autumn can also be useful in order to send the apple tree stronger into the new gardening season.
Should you prune an apple tree in the fall?
An apple tree can be trimmed in the fall to promote tree he alth and yield. Dry branches, fruit mummies and branches that grow too densely should be removed. Wound closure agent protects against pathogens in larger cuts.
Preparing the cut properly in autumn
Practically, when pruning the apple tree in autumn, two work steps can be completed at once. This cut can also be linked directly to the harvest for late-ripening varieties. Reaching high tree crowns can be a time and physical challenge, especially for apple trees with standard trunks. For the cut itself you should have the following equipment:
- a stable and sure-footed ladder
- clean planting scissors (€14.00 on Amazon) with a sharp cutting edge
- Wound closure products for cutting large branches
After cutting, when removing the fallen branches from the ground, you can also dispose of moldy fruits and excessive amounts of fallen leaves. How to protect your apple tree from fungus and other diseases.
The ideal treetop shape as a default
According to an old saying, the crown of an apple tree should be light enough for a hat to be thrown through. This is not an optical end in itself, but rather serves the yield and plant he alth. If all twigs and leaves are easily accessible from the wound and the sun, they will dry more quickly after periods of moisture and are less prone to becoming infected with the dangerous powdery mildew. In addition, all parts of the tree are optimally supplied with the energy of light, so that large and aromatic fruits can ripen on the branches. In order to achieve an optimal crown shape, the growth should be steered in the right direction with a training pruning after the apple tree has been planted.
The pruning technique for the apple tree
When pruning in autumn, not only dry branches and fruit mummies should be removed, but also branches growing too close into the crown. Since the apple blossoms usually only grow on two-year-old wood, not all annual branches may be cut off. When shortening individual branches, the top pair of buds should be directed outwards so that a beautiful crown shape can be created.
Tips & Tricks
If you cut off thicker branches from the apple tree, you should treat wounds larger than three centimeters in diameter with a special wound closure agent. This is how you protect the tree from various pathogens.