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Prune and wash or wash and prune?

lloyd.marsden10qBsiUU0Slloyd.marsden10qBsiUU0S Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi everyone, long time reader, first post :)

I'm getting nervous about pruning my two relatively young apple trees. One of them had a touch of scab last year so I want to open it up with some vigorous pruning and then give it a winter wash - is it best to prune then wash or wash then prune?

Also I'm down in the SW and I've found that the absence of a real winter has meant the window for pruning is tiny, am I still good to go now?

Thanks in advance!

Posts

  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    @pansyface could probably advise :)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I can't really advise, but the only thing I'd say is that some apples are more prone to scab than others, and there isn't always anything you can do. 
    I found that out to my annoyance with the ones I had a while ago, and had to take them out. 
    If you know what varieties you have, that might help with any advice you get given.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • lloyd.marsden10qBsiUU0Slloyd.marsden10qBsiUU0S Posts: 2
    I have a braeburn and a sunset (the former had the scab). I know there's not a lot I can do but having religiously picked up the leaves all autumn I want to give it a shot :)
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    When pruning apples and many other fruit trees the most important thing to remember is-
    Prune in Winter to Encourage growth
    Prune in Summer to Control growth

    I find this article useful-
    https://www.chrisbowers.co.uk/article/apple-trees-planting-pruning-pollination/
    scroll down a bit and you'll find pruning guides

    There's an RHS article here that give info about scab
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/disease/apple-and-pear-scab

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    Do be aware that if you do a really hard prune now you will almost certainly get a lot of 'water shoots' which you'll need to tackle in the summer. If a tree is a bit neglected it's often better to stagger the cutting back over 3 seasons. Probably not a huge disaster if you decide to go for it in one bite though - but just be aware about the water shoots and research how to deal with those.

    Regarding the scab - we used to be able to spray with a systemic fungicide which was reasonably effective. I don't think there's anything on the market now that amateur gardeners are allowed to use to control scab. I'm, therefore, wondering what the 'winter wash' is that you want to use and whether it will be effective if the primary purpose is to  control scab.

    Certainly opening up the centre of the tree to improve circulation will do nothing but good.🙂 
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • starfish3865starfish3865 Posts: 10
    We're in the SE, is it too late to winter wash fruit trees that have only just started to bud?  There are apple, pear, plum and cherry.
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