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ORNAMENTAL APPLE TREE

Nadger the badgerNadger the badger Posts: 29
in Problem solving

Hello

When and how should I prune an ornamental Apple tree,

mine looks a bit spindly, would like to bush it up a bit

regards

Nadger the badger

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,113

    Hi image

    When you say ornamental apple - do you mean a crab apple?  Do you have the name of the variety?


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





  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    How old is the tree?

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Nadger the badgerNadger the badger Posts: 29

    Sorry for the delay in replying, been working night shifts this week,

    I bought the tree about 16 months ago, it stands about 5 feet high now, so I assume it's relatively young and the variety name is "royalty"

    Regards

    Nadger the Badger

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    Hi Nadger, Yes that is young and it is important to prune it properly in the early years to help it form a good shape.  Prune it when completely dormant - if it still has any leaves on, leave it for a while - I usually do mine in January/February, but never during a prolonged hard frost.  For both ornamental and edible apples, the pruning is the same when they are young.  Cut each branch back by about a third to half, to a bud facing in the direction you want it to grow (usually that's an outward facing one.)

    Branches which are pruned will have stronger growth next year than any which you don't prune, so although it seems illogical, if the tree is growing weakly on one side, prune that side harder.

    Here's the RHS advice on pruning young apples:

    http://apps.rhs.org.uk/AdviceSearch/profile.aspx?PID=164

    and the diagrams here may help:

    http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_september_2d_apple.asp

     

     

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Nadger the badgerNadger the badger Posts: 29
    The complete answer

    Many thanks Bob

    Regards

    Badger the Badger
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    Bumped for rubber image

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,099

    Bob's pretty darn good Nadger, isn't he? Not much he doesn't know about fruit and veg image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Nadger the badgerNadger the badger Posts: 29
    Bobs the man!!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,099

    As opposed to 'your uncle' Nadger....image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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