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Should I prune the top of my new apple trees now (end april) or when dormant

yahsfa-comps2yahsfa-comps2 Posts: 7
in Fruit & veg
I'm completely new to gardening but I always knew I wanted an apple tree. I planted an unfeathered maiden in February but I did not know that I was meant to prune it so the tree had strength to grow the branches and not the top. The tree has now started to have leaves and little flower buds.

Should I do the pruning now or should I wait until it is dormant again?

I'm kicking myself for now checking it out sooner.

Thank you
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Posts

  • yahsfa-comps2yahsfa-comps2 Posts: 7
    Thank you for the advice, I will give it a go. Yes, I am aware now of what I should have done, I was just too worried about whether it would survive to think about any pruning. It was only when I figured out that I had to remove the flowers that I noticed the pruning part...
    Thanks again
  • valerierobertsvalerieroberts Posts: 726
    @ pansyface, please may I be as bold and ask you what it says for marabelle plum. I think I should do something about now for mine. Valerie 
  • valerierobertsvalerieroberts Posts: 726
    Thanks pansyface. It’s two years old and I would like a bush. And trying to keep it low down so I can pick the fruit (when). It’s got loads of branches. Valerie 
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    If it gets a bit too tall @valerieroberts I use a golf ball retriever  on an extendable pole to pick mine.😁
  • valerierobertsvalerieroberts Posts: 726
    Sound like a good laugh @purplerallim. But I get the gist of it. Valerie 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited April 2020
    Another recommendation here for a Harry Bakker’s book ... it explains so clearly how to achieve what you want 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    I got a second hand copy from the big river site for a few pounds, it’s the bible on the allotment for fiancé, he does love to prune things! 
  • valerierobertsvalerieroberts Posts: 726
    @pansyface. Many thanks I will have a go when it’s time. Valerie 
  • yahsfa-comps2yahsfa-comps2 Posts: 7
    My tree is now pruned and I am trying to source the book. Thanks again for the help
  • yahsfa-comps2yahsfa-comps2 Posts: 7
    I had seen those but I was hoping for the newer edition since I had assumed that there would be some changes. The library is closed for now but I did check the online one which did not have it.
    I will probably end up spending a tenner but then I spent more on the tree so it is worth it.
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