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Pruning a Granny Smith tree

oliverthomasblackmoreoliverthomasblackmore Posts: 3
in Fruit & veg
Since the end of last summer, the main trunk of our granny smith apple tree has shot two feet up in the air above any of the other branches. There are no side shoots coming of this new growth as of yet but there are buds that look like they might grow out into branches? It also has a little bit of blossom at the very top of it. At the minute it just looks a bit odd. Do i lob a couple of feet off the top so that it's level with the branches or am I better of leaving it? See pictures attached - one blank and one where I've highlighted where the other branches stop and where the new growth stops. Also, if I do anything, when should I do it?

Posts

  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    I'd chop it a little lower than your level, to just above the branches below in line with the skylights on the right. It is acting as the leader shoot and will probably do the same next year. Normally you do pruning in winter and/or summer for two different purposes. In winter you prune when the tree is dormant (December) to create the shape you want. In summer you prune to control vigour if needed. The overall aim is to produce an open centred goblet shaped tree without overlapping branches. As you are only pruning one shoot it should be safe enough to do it now.
  • barry islandbarry island Posts: 1,847
    Quite near to the wall isn't it is it on a dwarfing rootstock?
  • oliverthomasblackmoreoliverthomasblackmore Posts: 3
    Thanks for the advice steephill. Will doing that stop the tree from getting taller though?

    Barry - yes it is on dwarfing rootstock. My original plan was to train it against the wall but never quite got round to that  :D
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