Step-by-step instructions for pruning apple trees in spring for novice gardeners

Pruning is a mandatory procedure for caring for fruit and berry trees. Productivity directly depends on the quality of crown formation. The frequency of pruning also affects the general condition of the plant, its resistance to diseases and negative environmental factors, and aesthetics.

An apple tree can be pruned in autumn and late winter, but spring is considered the best time to carry out the procedure. During this period, the weather is as comfortable as possible for both the gardener and the plant. All wounds heal quickly and new shoots form.

Purposes of spring pruning of apple trees

Pruning apple trees in autumn or spring is a mandatory procedure for caring for fruit and berry trees. The taste and quantity of the harvest and the general well-being of the plants depend on the quality of its implementation.

Pruning has a number of purposes:

1. Restoration of metabolism between the underground and above-ground parts.
2. Increased productivity. When removing excess branches and shoots, an intensive flow of nutrients begins into the ovaries and fruits, and not into the green mass. This leads to an increase in the taste and size of the fruit, and yield.
3. Growth of young shoots. Pruning old branches provokes the ejection of new shoots.
4. Prevention of diseases and pests. By removing old branches, the gardener reduces the risk of fungi, bacteria and overwintering insects.
5. Improving air exchange, eliminating shading. When removing excess branches, air begins to circulate properly in the crown, and the fruits are illuminated by the sun from all sides.The tree begins to hurt less, the crop ripens faster.
6. Improving the aesthetics and convenience of harvesting. A compact tree with a neat crown decorates the garden. With proper pruning, the gardener can easily reach each fruit.
7. Space saving. In small areas, well-formed trees are placed in larger numbers.
8. Increasing the lifespan of a tree. The procedure allows you to rejuvenate apple trees that have begun to produce meager harvests.

Advantages and disadvantages of carrying out the procedure in spring

Most gardeners prefer to trim the crown in the spring, when the tree is still dormant. Such pruning times have a number of advantages:

1. Removing branches during this period will not harm the plant. Damage caused by pruning heals quickly. The plant does not experience stress.
2. Very little time passes after pruning and sap flow resumes. The plant no longer needs to waste energy on old branches. The growth of new strong shoots begins, the formation of a large number of ovaries.
3. During the winter, weak shoots freeze, cracks form on some branches, and at the end of autumn pests infest damaged trees. In summer, this takes away the plant’s strength and increases the risk of developing diseases. Problems can be easily avoided by pruning in the spring.
4. In autumn it often rains, during which it is inconvenient to prune. In spring, the temperature is comfortable for both gardening work and plants.
5. In spring, there are no negative factors such as hot, dry weather or scorching rays of the sun. All this often causes deterioration in the condition of the tree during summer pruning.

The spring procedure also has its disadvantages.Novice gardeners sometimes confuse branches that have been damaged by frost and those that have not yet woken up and cut off the necessary parts of the tree. Pruning briefly slows down the development of the plant, so the harvest often ripens later.

Note! The apple tree is a frost-resistant plant that can even withstand winter pruning, so some gardeners carry out the procedure at the end of February.

What happens if you don't trim the apple tree?

Pruning apple trees is a procedure that needs to be done every year. Beginners often neglect it, believing that the thicker the crown, the higher the yield. However, if you do not prune the apple tree, a number of problems arise:

1. Diseases and pests. Risk factors are impaired air circulation in the crown, damaged and frostbitten branches, cracks in the bark. Also, an excessively thick crown causes a decrease in immunity.
2. Rotting fruits. If the crown is too thick, the apples do not ripen and fall off, and those affected by pests rot right on the branches. Up to 80% of the crop suffers from this problem.
3. Decrease in yield, deterioration in fruit quality. If the crown is too thick, the plant spends energy on growing green mass rather than developing fruits. The apples become small, sour, and some of the ovaries fall off. The apple tree spends more and more energy on restoration; it does not bear fruit every year, and over time it completely stops producing fruit.
4. Inconvenient and unaesthetic shape. Unpruned trees look untidy. It is inconvenient to remove fruits from the thick crown.
5. Short lifespan. Over time, trees age, stop producing crops, and dry out. It is possible to save the plant with the help of anti-aging pruning.

When to prune in spring

It is recommended to carry out spring pruning when the temperature outside is already above zero. It is important to do this before the buds open. Otherwise, the wounds will take a long time to heal, the plant will experience severe stress, and all processes will be inhibited. This year the apple tree will not produce a harvest at all.

In the Moscow region and other regions of central Russia, the procedure is carried out at the end of March. By this time the snow should thaw. If the snowdrifts are still there, the procedure is postponed.

In the northern regions, trees are pruned in April. In the south - at the beginning of March or the end of February.

Note! The outside temperature during pruning may be sub-zero, but not lower than -5°C.

Types of pruning

There are 3 types of pruning. Each of them has its own goals. It is important not to neglect any of them.

This is interesting! Different patterns are used for pruning. A spherical crown looks most aesthetically pleasing.

Formative

Formative pruning is necessary to form a crown of the correct shape. Usually they choose a spherical one, but some gardeners prefer a fan or pyramidal one.

With this pruning, only effective, necessary branches are left. This brings flowering and fruiting closer, reduces the risk of disease and pests, improves air circulation, reduces the likelihood of breakage, and promotes optimal distribution of nutrients.

At first, the apple tree pruning procedure is aimed at forming the correct skeleton. Next - to maintain shape, volume and density.

The timing and frequency of pruning depend on the growth rate. Fast-growing varieties are treated annually, and slow-growing varieties – once every 2-3 years.

Rejuvenating

Anti-aging pruning is used to extend the life of old apple trees. It is not produced every year. Old trees are rejuvenated once every 6 years.The procedure allows you to restore the balance between growth and fruiting, which is disrupted with age.

When choosing the timing of anti-aging pruning, attention is paid to the condition of the tree. The need for the procedure is indicated by:

• reduction in annual growth by 15%;
• excessive flowering with poor fruiting;
• shedding of ovaries.

The procedure itself involves significant shortening of old branches. A new crown is formed from strong, young, well-greened shoots. If the problem is advanced, it will take several years for quality pruning.

Regulatory

Regulatory pruning is a complex procedure. It includes elements of formative and sanitary pruning.

The process involves removing branches that are too close to each other, leaning close to the trunk, or pointing inward to the crown. Remove diseased, weak, dry and old shoots.

Such pruning is carried out not at any specific time, but as needed. Before work, you must carefully inspect the plant, removing all unnecessary parts.

How to prune an apple tree

Pruning an adult apple tree, following the basic rules. In this case, the procedure will benefit the tree and not harm it.

Required materials and tools

For high-quality tree trimming you will need special tools:

1. Saw with frequent and fine teeth. It is used for trimming thick branches. Do not use a dull saw with bent or broken teeth. It is dangerous for both the gardener and the plant.
2. Secateurs. Used for trimming shoot tips and root shoots. It should be sharp and powerful. Some gardeners use a garden knife.
3. A ladder or stepladder to reach branches at the top of the canopy.
4. Cutting agent.Most gardeners use garden var.
5. Dye. The lower part of the trunk is painted with it.

Step-by-step instruction

Pruning is a simple procedure. You just need to follow the step-by-step instructions:

1. The tree is inspected. Remove all shoots damaged over the winter, dry branches, and areas with damaged bark.
2. The apple tree should have only 5-6 skeletal branches directed in different directions. If there are more, the excess is cut off. Remove branches directed into the crown or upward; shoots that touch the ground. If branches cross, one of them is removed. Excess branches are cut off near the trunk, leaving no stumps. If the tree is too tall, the skeletal branches are cut by a third.
3. Thick branches (not skeletal) that touch, prevent each other from growing, are directed into the crown, are also cut off.
4. Remove all weak shoots.
5. The branches of new growth are shortened by a third.
6. Cut out all root shoots.

The branches are cut at an angle of 45°. The lower edge of the cut should be located at the level of the eye, and the upper edge 1.5 cm higher.

All cuts must be treated with garden varnish. This is done immediately after cutting the branch. No more than a third of the crown volume is removed at a time. The rule also works with anti-aging pruning.

Features of the procedure

Depending on the age and variety, pruning technology varies. This must be taken into account when carrying out the procedure.

Nuances for columnar apple trees

The main feature of columnar varieties is the non-spreading crown that forms around the trunk. Pruning is carried out as follows:

1. In the first year after planting, cut off all side shoots.
2. In the second year, the growth point of branches with a length of more than 30 cm is pinched. The upper branch is not touched, since it functions as an extension of the trunk.
3. The third year is the time to re-shorten all side shoots. The central branch is shortened at a height of 25 cm.
4. Next, cut off all weak branches, as well as shoots directed into the crown and located close to each other.
5. The top of a 5-year-old tree is cut off to stop growth.
6. Mature trees are subjected to sanitary and regulatory pruning.

The nuances of pruning young and old apple trees

Young and old apple trees are pruned differently. In the first case, the procedure is aimed at forming the correct skeleton, in the second - at removing old branches and rejuvenating.

For the first time, the apple tree is pruned immediately after planting. This will allow the plant to grow properly.

Detailed lesson on pruning a young apple tree:

1. Immediately after planting, cut off the main trunk. The optimal height for it is 80-100 cm. If the trunk is divided into 2 branches, one of them is cut off, leaving the stronger one. If there are already shoots in the first year, they are shortened by a third.
2. In the second and third years, the crown is formed. Leave up to 6 shoots growing in different directions. Branches directed into the crown are removed. The rest are shortened by a third.
3. It is important to constantly cut off the root shoots on which the plant expends energy. The same is done with dry, frozen and damaged shoots.

Old trees need rejuvenation. When cutting them, a different technology is used:

1. First, remove all old, dry, diseased branches.
2. When rejuvenating pruning, move from the south side. Old branches are cut down. They leave strong shoots with a lot of greenery. They form a skeleton.
3. The branches of tall apple trees are shortened by 50%, and the branches of low and medium-sized ones - by 30%.
4. The northern half is started when the cut part begins to bear fruit.

Anti-aging pruning will give a positive result only if the trunk is not damaged. The presence of healthy skeletal branches is important.

Care after pruning

After pruning, the tree is provided with regular and proper care. This will make it easier to endure the procedure, will not hurt, and will not stop growing.

Rules for care after pruning:

1. All cuts must be covered. Most gardeners use garden pitch, which is heated before use. You can replace it with a mixture of clay and mullein.
2. Sections with a diameter of less than 1 cm do not need to be covered. They just need to be cleared of sawdust and sanded.
3. To stimulate the growth of new shoots, nitrogen fertilizers are applied: the first time in early April, the second time in June. As nitrogen fertilizing use organic matter (cow manure, chicken manure, compost) or mineral fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, ammophosphate, urea).
4. Phosphorus fertilizers will be needed. They are introduced in April. 35 g of superphosphate or ash is buried under the tree.
5. The next day after applying fertilizer, the apple tree is watered abundantly. The next day the soil is loosened.

What to do if there is nothing to trim

If there is nothing to prune and there is no growth of new shoots, it is worth reconsidering the care. This situation indicates that the tree is uncomfortable. The reasons may be as follows:

1. Proximity of groundwater. When the root system is fully formed, it will reach the level of cold groundwater. This will lead to stunting of growth, rotting of roots, and infection by fungal diseases. To avoid this problem, you need to know the optimal planting depth for different varieties. For tall trees - 2.5 m, medium height - 1.5 m, short trees - 1 m. To save the tree, you will need drastic pruning.In such conditions, the plant should not be higher than 2 m.
2. Poor soil. The apple tree lacks nutrients, which slows down its development. To correct the situation, in spring and autumn, manure or humus is applied under the roots, and at the end of summer, mown grass is piled up. Peas are planted in the tree trunk circle, and then their tops are dug into the ground. After a few years of such care, the soil fertility will increase.
3. Unsuitable climate. If the apple tree variety is not suitable for a particular region, the plant will develop slowly and die within 5 years. It will not be possible to solve the problem; you will have to get rid of the plant.

This is interesting:

A step-by-step guide for beginner gardeners: how to plant an apple tree in spring

How and what to spray apple trees against pests in summer

Step-by-step guide to planting a closed-root apple tree in summer

Conclusion

Pruning an apple tree is a mandatory annual procedure. It is necessary to increase productivity, maintain crown shape, and protect against diseases and pests. Without it, the tree will stop producing crops, begin to dry out and die.