In order to prune apple trees sensibly, it is important to be able to distinguish between leaf and flower buds. We'll show you what the buds look like and how you can clearly identify them.
What do the buds of the apple tree look like?
Theflower budsof the apple tree can be recognized by their reddish color and thethick, rounded shape. Leaf buds, on the other hand, arenarrow and greenish in color. The sleeping eyes, which can be felt as small bumps, only sprout when the actual bud falls out.
How can I distinguish between flower and leaf buds?
In addition to the characteristics mentioned above, you can also tell the buds of the apple tree (Malus domestica) apartby the shoots on which they are located:
- The leaf buds are mainly found on the annual long shoots.
- The flower buds are on the two-year-old shoots, the so-called fruit spears, which are short and woody.
How do the buds of the apple tree unfold?
In almost all apple varietiesthe leaf buds open, with the exception of the sepals that frame the flowers,only after the flower buds.
- The stems of the flower buds initially become longer and longer. They develop from the red bud stage, in which they have a bright pink color, to the pink-white flower.
- The delicate leaflets of the leaf buds spread out like the ears of a mouse when the leaves emerge (mouse ear stage).
Tip
Late frosts endanger the buds of the apple tree
Depending on the region, apple trees open their flower buds as early as mid-April. During this period, late frosts unfortunately occur even in mild locations. After just a single night below freezing, almost all of the flower buds can turn brown because they have frozen. Therefore, protect your apple tree in your home garden when frost is imminent with a multi-layer fleece (€34.00 on Amazon).
