An apple tree in the garden will usually produce a certain amount of apples in the fall, even without any intervention. However, regular pruning not only promotes the harvest, but also tree he alth.
When and how should an apple tree be trimmed?
The apple tree should be pruned regularly to promote harvest and tree he alth. The most important pruning takes place in winter (December to March) to shape and correct deformities. In summer, branches are shortened for a compact shape and water shoots are removed. In autumn, branches that have grown inwards, fruit mummies and dry branches are removed.
The cut in winter
Pruning the apple tree in winter is usually the most important procedure of the whole year. Since the tree is in sap dormancy between December and the beginning of March, wounds from pruning can heal relatively quickly and without problems in mild temperatures. In addition, after thinning in winter, the tree's entire energy is concentrated on the growth of the remaining buds and flowers. Since no leaves obscure the view of the main branches and twigs of the tree in winter, you can also better identify and correct malformations in the tree crown at this time of year. This will make it easier for you to shape the tree and give it the size and height you want. If larger branches are removed during winter pruning in order to obtain a light and air-permeable tree crown, the cuts must not be made exactly horizontally. Otherwise, standing rainwater on tree stumps could become a breeding ground for various fungal diseases.
The cut in summer
Even when pruning in summer, the branches should always be cut so that they have a compact shape with enough stability for a high fruit population. To do this, the cut should always be made so that a pair of buds or leaves at the top of the branch points outwards. In addition, branches that grow too closely to a branch and do not protrude from it at an angle of at least 45 degrees should be removed. Summer is usually the right time to remove the water shoots that rise into the sky from the top of the treetop. These would otherwise only cost the tree unnecessary energy, which it needs to ripen sweet and aromatic fruits. Summer pruning should not be carried out during periods of extreme heat, and the tree must also be watered regularly and sufficiently afterwards.
Pruning the apple tree in autumn
Even in autumn, it doesn't hurt to check the apple tree in the garden for any malformations. At this time, the main things you should pay attention to when cutting are:
- branches growing inwards
- Fruit Mummies
- dry branches
Due to a high fruit population, branches can sometimes break off under the weight of the apples. These can be identified in autumn by their wilted leaves and can be easily removed. Fruit mummies on the branches indicate disease or fungal infestation and should definitely be removed and removed. If branches that have grown inwards are removed from the tree crown in autumn, the remaining branches receive enough light in spring for new growth.
Tips & Tricks
The tree trimming should be carried out with sharp planting scissors (€14.00 on Amazon) with a clean cutting edge so that the cuts can heal well. Treat very thick branch interfaces with a suitable preparation from a specialist retailer so that no pathogens can penetrate the tree.
