Old fruit trees have a special charm. But in most cases you need a lot of attention to ensure that they develop he althy wood. Annual pruning makes sense for freshly planted trees. This way the tree stays he althy for many years.
How to properly prune a Boskop apple tree?
To properly prune a Boskop apple tree, you should first remove annoying branches, then shape the framework and finally work on the fruit wood. The right time for cutting is after March, when the sap flow starts again.
Basic rules
It is better to prune old apple trees more intensively once than several times with less intervention. Make sure that no branch stubs are left behind, as these encourage water scions. Aim for strong branches that are in the correct orientation. When carrying out all pruning measures, you should keep in mind that in the end, horizontal shoots with short fruit shoots are desired.
Tips for beginners
When it comes to apple trees, experts differentiate between scaffold branches and fruit wood. The basic framework provides the crown shape, which usually consists of two to three levels. These side branches should not be too close together because they will grow thicker over time. The fruit branches are ideally weakly developed and evenly distributed along the framework. Regular cutting promotes their development.
Time
Cutting measures on the Boskop between October and March are unsuitable, because during this period the temperatures can drop into the double-digit minus range. Cuts would tear, creating an entry point for fungi and bacteria. The fruit tree is not able to close such open wounds in the winter months.
Depending on the temperature, the sap flow signals the end of the dormant phase in spring. Depending on the weather, this can take place between January and March. Focus your cutting on the period after March.
Cutting measures
If you want to prune an apple tree, you should proceed in several steps. You don’t have to carry out the same procedures every year. Which cut is recommended depends on the condition of your boscope.
Thinning out the crown
The first step in any intervention is to remove the offending branches. Cut off specimens that cross each other, grow into the crown or are dead. Then remove all water shoots that strive vertically upwards. The same applies to branches that point downwards.
Shaping scaffolding
Branches of the same rank should extend to the side at approximately the same height. This growth form is known as sap scales and forms the basic principle for all scaffolding branches. Remove all shoots that do not fall under this theory.
Processing fruit wood
The fruit-bearing branches are cut with care and consideration. They are evenly distributed on the framework. Since the Bosko apples will later grow on them, they should be neither too weak nor too long.
Procedure:
- shorten branches growing downwards greatly
- shorten old and weak branches down to the scaffold branch
- Cut steep shoots at the base
- do not prune remaining side shoots
Tip
You can rejuvenate old fruit branches by cutting them back to about an inch above a bud. New fruit wood develops here.
