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Leaning Apple Tree
ChalkyLiz
Posts: 2
in Fruit & veg
When winter comes I plan to give this very old apple tree a reguvenation. However I have no idea how to prune this tree given that it has such a distinct leaning angle. Part of me is keen to cut it right back and try to encourage a straighter appearance, whilst another part of me is worried about over doing it and creating lots of upright shoots or worse...killing it!
Can anyone share some thoughts?
0
Posts
Hi there CL. I found this link for you which may give you all the information you need
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=858
Good luck with that.
Thanks Ladybird, very helpful.
Does anyone else have any ideas with respect to the tree leaning over so much? Should I try to encourage something more upright?
It looks like it has struggled to get enough light so has grown away from the fence and what look like very tall overhanging trees. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do that will encourage a mature tree to grow upright and hacking off large sections is something you are right to worried about for the reasons you mention. I would trim off some of the lower parts hanging down the slope now (summer pruning restricts growth) to make mowing easier and just enjoy the fact that you have a tree with 'personality'!
The old adage 'growth follows the knife' particularly applies to apple tree winter pruning so strong growth will occur where you prune it the hardest, which is the opposite of what most folk expect.