In the apple tree, the winter pruning between January and March is actually the most important pruning for tree health and yield. However, an alternative or additional cut in autumn can also make sense in order to send the apple tree stronger into the new gardening season.

Prepare the cut properly in the fall

Practically, when pruning the apple tree in autumn, two work steps can be completed at once. In the case of late-ripening varieties, this cut can also be linked directly to the harvest. Reaching high treetops can be a time-consuming and physical challenge, especially for apple trees with a tall stem. For the cut itself, you should have the following equipment:

  • a stable and sure-footed ladder
  • clean pruning shears with a sharp edge
  • Wound closure agent for the cutting sites of large branches

After the pruning, when you remove the fallen branches from the ground, you can also get rid of moldy fruits and large quantities of fallen leaves. This is how you protect your apple tree from fungal attack and other diseases.

The ideal tree crown shape as a default

According to an old saying, the crown of an apple tree should be light enough for a hat to be thrown through. This is not an optical end in itself, but serves the yield and plant health. If all the twigs and leaves are easily reached by the sun and the wound, they dry out more quickly after periods of moisture and are less prone to infestation with the dangerous powdery mildew. In addition, all parts of the tree are optimally supplied with the energy of the light, so that large and aromatic fruits can ripen on the branches. In order to achieve an optimal crown shape, the growth should be steered in the right direction with an educational pruning after the apple tree has been planted.

The technique of pruning the apple tree

When pruning in the fall, not only dry branches and fruit mummies should be removed, but also branches that grow too close to the crown. Since the apple blossoms are usually only on the two-year-old wood, not all one-year-old branches may be cut off. When shortening individual twigs, the top pair of buds should point outwards so that a beautiful crown shape can result.

tips and tricks

If you cut thicker branches from the apple tree, you should treat wounds with a diameter of more than three centimeters with a special wound sealant. This protects the tree from various pathogens.

Category:

Trees