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Ferral Apple Tree!

Becoming_A_BettyBecoming_A_Betty Posts: 7
in Problem solving
Good Afternoon All 😊 We moved into our first house a few years ago and this lovely little apple tree was here. It has merrily been producing gorgeous apples. Last year it had a break and my mum came over and dropped the bombshell that we needed to prune it! I've never pruned a fruit tree before. I've watched a few YouTube videos and can see I'm aiming for a bowl shape? I would be so grateful for any tips as I am conscious of that big main branch up the centre. It seems to have gone abit awol so I'm not sure where to start. I don't want to cut too much off and send it into shock 😳 Thank you so much in advance. 

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Does it bear the apples at the tips of the branches.? If it is a tip bearer, prune it now and you prune off all next years apples.  Personally, I would leave it now and then summer prune excess whippy growth off in August.
  • Becoming_A_BettyBecoming_A_Betty Posts: 7
    Oooh gosh, now you're testing me 🤣 I'm not sure where it bears fruit, I'm trying to remember. Is it messed up to say "on the branches" 🤔 Thanks so much for your help, I definitely do not want to trim off any potential fruit! 
  • micearguersmicearguers Posts: 646
    Apple trees can have a break for other reasons, e.g. a frost might have ruined the blossoms, or drought could have had an impact. A year with a heavy crop might be followed by a year with a smaller crop. Here is more information:
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=709
    Your tree is slightly crowded by a fence on one side, and turf on the other, meaning it might struggle for moisture due to the fence rain shadow and turf competition during dry periods. Since it has cropped before those are not causing the issue, but it could be an additonal factor. Advice is usually to not have a turf in a good portion of the rain shadow of the tree.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Personally, I would take off the 4 lowest branches now, to start to give the tree a better shape and do nothing else until summer pruning time comes along at which point you will know whether it is a spur or tip bearer and prune accordingly.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Becoming_A_BettyBecoming_A_Betty Posts: 7
    micearguers said:
    Apple trees can have a break for other reasons, e.g. a frost might have ruined the blossoms, or drought could have had an impact. A year with a heavy crop might be followed by a year with a smaller crop. Here is more information:
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=709
    Your tree is slightly crowded by a fence on one side, and turf on the other, meaning it might struggle for moisture due to the fence rain shadow and turf competition during dry periods. Since it has cropped before those are not causing the issue, but it could be an additonal factor. Advice is usually to not have a turf in a good portion of the rain shadow of the tree.
    Thank you for this advice, I'll see if we can remove some of the turf around it ☺️👍
  • Becoming_A_BettyBecoming_A_Betty Posts: 7
    BobTheGardener said:
    Personally, I would take off the 4 lowest branches now, to start to give the tree a better shape and do nothing else until summer pruning time comes along at which point you will know whether it is a spur or tip bearer and prune accordingly.
    Thank you so much Bob. I'll go for the lower branch trim that you suggest and see how it pans out. I'm pretty sure it's a spur bearer but only time will tell 😊🍎 I so appreciate your time and guidance xx 
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