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Pruning Apple Trees |
The perfect time to prune an apple tree if you are looking to produce the optimum amount of apples is when the tree is resting, and not growing, which is usually in early spring time, just before the first spurt of growth. Good pruning at this time makes sure that the elements are in place to stimulate correct growth, which means creating space for those branches, and also cut out almost-dead wood that still uses some of the plant's life force. If you have an apple tree that is growing too big, it could also be pared down in the summer months, and so thinning out the growing branches. This is really necessary for trees such as commercial plum, for eaxmple, where branches can get so burdened with fruit, that they snap due to the weight. Obviously, this is not a great situation for a living tree - it's very traumatic and not conducive to healthy growth.
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Initially, it's a good strategy to cut out dead branches. They are pretty much useless, stunt new growth and use up important ntriants needed for promoting growth. This is perhaps the simplest aspect of fruit tree pruning, beacuse it's the difference between an old branch and a new, productive one, is obvious. Prune any branches that cross, or touch each other in any way. The single branches need room to breathe, to grow and also need to get as much sun as they can. Sharp pruning shears should be employed for thin branches, and a pruning saw needs to used for thicker ones. Both kinds of pruning devices can be purchased in a mechanised form - pruning shears are often powered by pneumatics, and pruning saws can be pneumatic, electric or driven by a two stroke gas engine. Cut off the vertical branches by cutting close to the joint where it grows away from a horizontal branch, or just a little bit higher than a bud, making the cut backwards backwards at around 30 degrees. A clean cut is very important, so ensure that those shears or saws are sharp. It will also make the process quicker, as sharp cutters should make sure that an ugly stub is not evident after the pruning cut. The object is to have to have predominantly horizontal branches left, or mostly at slight angles upwards from the horizontal line, as this type of branch bearsthe most fruit. A great tree pruning video is a huge help. Vertical branches need to be kept to the minimum, within reason, which can depend upon the kind of tree - there are a some exceptions to the general rule, but for most common types of fruit trees, like peach and apple, follow this guideline, and let those sunbeams come in! If there are some branches pointing down towards the ground, prune these also, as they don't produce much fruit. If there is are a lot of new branches at the top of the tree, prune them back to make some space and let more sunlight in. Taking off some of these higher branches, specially if they are growing almost vertically, will make the tree bushier, nicer looking and produce more apples.
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