Advice needed on pruning an apple tree.
Discussion
Hi!
I have inherited an established Bramley apple tree at my new place.
In an effort to improve the quality & quantity of fruit (great in 2023, terrible last year) I've made a start by removing two very low, downward-growing branches (in red) and also cut back some of the thinner/longer branches.
My question is, should I remove one (or both) of the smaller 'trunks' (highlighted yellow) to improve both appearance and health of the tree?
If so, should I do it now, or wait till the end of this season?
TIA
I have inherited an established Bramley apple tree at my new place.
In an effort to improve the quality & quantity of fruit (great in 2023, terrible last year) I've made a start by removing two very low, downward-growing branches (in red) and also cut back some of the thinner/longer branches.
My question is, should I remove one (or both) of the smaller 'trunks' (highlighted yellow) to improve both appearance and health of the tree?
If so, should I do it now, or wait till the end of this season?
TIA
Is it actually all bramley?
We have a similar looking tree which was a 'family' apple tree - basically three different types of apple grafted onto a single stock. Idea I think is that it self fertilises the three types.
We have a similar strange shape because the bramley bit has grown really well but the other two main branches, not so much. Leading to the tree leaning badly like yours.
We have a similar looking tree which was a 'family' apple tree - basically three different types of apple grafted onto a single stock. Idea I think is that it self fertilises the three types.
We have a similar strange shape because the bramley bit has grown really well but the other two main branches, not so much. Leading to the tree leaning badly like yours.
In my experience if trees have a great year they tend to have a rest the following year. The fruiting is also subject to the weather, did the blossom set or was it destroyed by wind, rain etc.
Doesn’t help answer your question but my inclination would be to leave as is or thin out any conflicting branches but I am not an expert.
Doesn’t help answer your question but my inclination would be to leave as is or thin out any conflicting branches but I am not an expert.
Also not an expert (but I have had a go at many trees).
In my experience-
In my experience-
- you can prune a tree an enormous amount so long as you accept you may not get much fruit until the following year.
- you should be able to throw a tennis ball easily through the tree (so you have a lot to cut!)
- if a tree isn't pruned enough, it will crop too heavily and then have a fallow year. But this isn't written in stone.
- I've rarely thought "I pruned that too much" later in the season
In my experience if trees have a great year they tend to have a rest the following year. The fruiting is also subject to the weather, did the blossom set or was it destroyed by wind, rain etc.
Doesn’t help answer your question but my inclination would be to leave as is or thin out any conflicting branches but I am not an expert.
Doesn’t help answer your question but my inclination would be to leave as is or thin out any conflicting branches but I am not an expert.
Chrisgr31 said:
In my experience if trees have a great year they tend to have a rest the following year. The fruiting is also subject to the weather, did the blossom set or was it destroyed by wind, rain etc.
There is an old apple tree in our garden that one year has so much fruit we can't give it all away to our neighbours, followed by a year when there is barely enough for a few apple crumbles. Thanks for all the replies, some interesting insights there.
Having already removed 2 medium-sized low branches, which produced apples at ground-level, I’m just going to concentrate on a ‘trim’ this year, removing anything not facing upwards, close growing branches, crossed branches and anything which stops air and light getting to the centre, plus a bit of external shaping.
Next winter I’ll take a look at the two thinner ‘trunks’ with a view to removing one each year.
I’ll keep this thread open to post pictures if/when in bloom and later if fruit appears!
Having already removed 2 medium-sized low branches, which produced apples at ground-level, I’m just going to concentrate on a ‘trim’ this year, removing anything not facing upwards, close growing branches, crossed branches and anything which stops air and light getting to the centre, plus a bit of external shaping.
Next winter I’ll take a look at the two thinner ‘trunks’ with a view to removing one each year.
I’ll keep this thread open to post pictures if/when in bloom and later if fruit appears!
I'm in the same position and have just done ours. I followed this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3pny3_5eE4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3pny3_5eE4
Edited by Tyndall on Thursday 13th March 14:48
One thing to be mindful of is that pruning will encourage it to put out more shoots. So you can get in a bit of a vicious cycle where all the growth goes into shoots you need to prune next year, which causes more shoots..... I reckon I'd be aiming to get that under control over 3 seasons.
Kev_Mk3 said:
FlossyThePig said:
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