Regular pruning not only ensures that the apple tree has a visually appealing crown shape and that young branches sprout. The thinning of the tree crown ensures greater vitality of the apple tree for other reasons as well.

Protect against dangers with light and air

If the crown of the tree is cut out regularly in winter and summer, the leaves can be better ventilated by the wind. The faster the foliage is dried by the wind after each wet weather period, the better the apple tree is protected against fungal attack and mildew. Besides, thinning also helps in producing a sweeter and juicier harvest. On the one hand, the energy of the apple tree concentrates more on the remaining branches and leaves with a thinned crown, on the other hand, more sunlight reaches them, which improves energy absorption.

The right time for the cut

If you want to thin out the crown of your apple tree, there are various options for doing so. As a rule, pruning should be done during the winter dormancy between December and March. During the summer pruning, undesirable developments can be corrected and the long water shoots at the upper end of the tree crown can be removed. If an educational pruning is carried out in autumn, it can be conveniently combined with the apple harvest. With the right measure, the following goals can be achieved by pruning the apple tree:

  • Vitality and protection against diseases
  • juicier and sweeter apples
  • better accessibility at harvest
  • a visually appealing treetop
  • a healthy mixture of old wood and new shoots

The right cutting technique

Planting scissors with a sharp blade should always be used for the planting cut and all other cuts in order to enable clean cut edges and thus good wound healing. When pruning, you should primarily leave three to four main branches in a harmonious arrangement around the trunk. If possible, the branches on it should protrude at an angle of at least 45 degrees from the main branches, so that there is a high level of stability when there is fruit.

tips and tricks

If you shorten branches, make the cut just above a leaf bud. This results in beautiful branching without "dead ends" on the branches.

Category:

Trees