We all love apples. But have you ever wondered about the importance of pruning an apple tree? Well, it is not only about an apple tree, every single fruit tree requires pruning every year. In Glanmire, many home gardeners pick apple trees to grow while others have already been enjoying this common fruit from their orchards.
Do you think it is important to open up the canopy of a tree to air circulation and sunlight to have healthy fruit production? Consider pruning.
We have some tips for you to prune an apple tree to have plenty of harvests-
Perfect time for apple tree pruning
Late winter is an ideal time but summer and spring are too favorable times. Do not go for the process in autumn as this is the time for revitalization. Also, a tree is getting ready to face winter.
What are pruning tools? The right tools make the job perfect. Some tools are handy for pruning-these are-
- Hand pruners- help to remove twigs and small branches.
- Folding saw- useful to prune three inches of branches in diameter.
- Loppers- these come with long handles to prune larger branches.
Sometimes, DIY is hectic or might damage the tree, cork tree surgeons readily available for you. We are good service providers of hedge cutting and bark mulch as well.
Let’s jump to Pruning
The first step of pruning is the removal of diseased, dead, or injured branches. Always look for the branch collar which is the part near the base connected to the trunk. Never cut into the branch collar-it’s a part of healing the wounds. Cut the point of a branch collar spreading.
In the starting years, let the tree establish itself with strong growing roots but remember it is advisable to prune after the third year- the removal of diseased, dead, or injured branches. Around three years of age, a tree starts forming fruit buds- dark-colored. Many people get confused with vegetative buds which are not so dark as fruit buds and these vegetative buds form branches and leaves.
Remove these unwanted branches to avoid the problems faced by apple trees- these branches might create hollows where water gets collected and decayed. Removing the branches growing toward the inside of a tree helps air circulation. When you cut the branch, the bud under it takes over and grows.
Remember, cut above the outward facing of a bud.
Make sure, your young apple tree must have a single central leading branch, if you notice another leading branch remove it. Keep monitoring for a stronger and healthier branch. To have as many fruiting spurs, your apple tree should be surrounded by evenly spaced scaffolding branches.
“A scaffolding branch is a branch that grows from the trunk”
Thining out the fruit
During the apple fruit season, a tree produces plenty of apples, which might cause ‘fruit crowding’, it stops the growth and gives you small-sized apples. Fruit should be 6 inches apart so it is good to consider thinning out the fruits to have a normal-sized fruit.
Glanmire tree services providers are second to none in giving the best- whether you are looking for stump removal, felling, plantation of trees, pruning, hedge cutting, or bark mulch- all these services are unquestionable.
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