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How far back should i prune my apple tree?

joevass787joevass787 Posts: 19
in Problem solving

I have an apple tree that produces a good amount of apples each year but i'm looking to cut it back in the next month as its got a bit wild. I've cut back some of the smaller branches last year but i wanted to do some more "extreme" pruning beginning of next year. 

My question is, should i cut below where the smaller branches start to grow from the bigger branches? I've added some photos so this makes more sense (hopefully).

Thanks in advance for any help on this matter and any help you can give on apple tree pruning in general. I've done my research but not found anything on this matter.

Thanks

Joe

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Posts

  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016

    As pansyface says, cut out any dead or crossing wood, with particular attention for any branches rubbing against each other.  That's the quickest way to get disease into the tree.

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    Winter pruning is primarily done to young trees in order to promote vigorous growth to get the overall 'wine glass' shape.  Once this has been achieved, it's better to switch to summer pruning which will restrict growth and promote the formation of fruiting spurs.
    Having said that, what you are looking at with your tree is renovative pruning which, as mentioned by pansyface and kt53 above, should be done in winter and over the course of several years.  Here is an RHS link giving detailed advice:

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=279

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • treehugger80treehugger80 Posts: 1,923

    I would first take out the D's - dead, diseased, damaged (rubbing/crossing/broken etc.) and dying.

    then go have a cup of tea - cutting stuff off is easy - sticking it back on is hard. Plus you only want to remove about 1/4 of the growth this year.

    when you return from your cuppa you want to remove any branches in the 'inside of the tree' that is it should look like a cup/goblet sort of shape - branches on the outside and very little around the trunk apart from main branches - my Grandfather said you should be able to chuck a golf ball thru a fruit tree and have it hit no more than one branch.

    remember that you winter prune for growth, so the more you cut in winter the more it'll grow.

    I would do summer pruning in about august to try and get some good fruiting branches and then thin again in winter next year

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