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Where to prune newly planted step over apple trees?

essays.in.softwareB2nme-ciessays.in.softwareB2nme-ci Posts: 4
in Fruit & veg
I have recently taken delivery of some bare rooted stepover apple trees.  

They are a lot bigger than I was lead to believe when I purchased them, and this leaves me with a question about how and if they should be pruned now.

I've attached some photos.  Any suggestions?

ar

Posts

  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    Those aren't stepover trees so I think you have been sent the wrong plants. They should have been Y shaped with 2 branches at about 18inches high which you then tie down to form the main arms. Does the label give any other information?
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    It's the rootstock that the upper part of the tree is grafted onto that will determine the eventual height and vigour of the tree. The graft point is the knobbly bit low on the trunk where the graft has been made.
    For stepover tree the usual rootstock is M27 - this is an extremely dwarfing rootstock ideal for stepover trees and should appear on the label.

    This RHS article gives more info-
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/fruit/apples/stepover-training

    Always ensure the graft point is above the soil level  - just as it is in your photos.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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