Old fruit trees have a special charm. But in most cases they need a lot of attention in order for them to develop healthy wood. Annual cuts make sense for newly planted trees. This keeps the tree healthy for many years.
The apple variety Boskop should be cut regularly
ground rules
It is better to cut old apple trees more intensively once than several times with less intervention. Be careful not to leave any stubs of branches as these encourage water veins. Derive to strong branches that are in the right orientation. With all pruning measures, you should keep in mind that horizontal shoots with short fruit shoots are desired in the end.
Tips for Beginners
When it comes to apple trees, experts distinguish between skeletal branches and fruit wood. The basic structure provides the crown shape, which usually consists of two to three tiers. These side branches should not be too close together, as over time they will form a strong growth. The fruit branches are ideally weak and evenly distributed on the structure. A regular cut promotes their development.
time
Cutting measures on the Boskop between October and March are unsuitable, because during this period the temperatures can drop into the double-digit minus range. Cuts would tear, creating an entry point for fungi and bacteria. The fruit tree is not able to close such open wounds in the winter months.
Depending on the temperature in spring, the sap flow heralds the end of the dormant phase. Depending on the weather, this can be done between January and March. Concentrate on pruning after March.
cutting measures
If you want to prune an apple tree, you should proceed in several steps. You don't have to do the same procedures every year. Which cut is recommended depends on the condition of your boscope.
clear crown
The first step of any intervention is to remove the offending branches. Cut off those specimens that are crossing, growing into the crown, or have died. Then remove all water shoots that strive vertically upwards. The same applies to branches that point downwards.
form framework
Equal branches should branch off to the side at about the same height. This growth form is referred to as a sap scale and forms the basic principle for all scaffolding branches. Remove any shoots that do not fall under this theory.
Processing fruit wood
The fruit-bearing branches are pruned with care and deliberation. They are evenly distributed on the framework. Since the boscop apples will grow on them later, they should be neither too weak nor too long.
Method:
- Cut back branches that grow downwards
- Cut old and weak branches down to the scaffolding branch
- Cut off the steep shoots at the base
- do not prune other side shoots
tips
You can rejuvenate old fruiting branches by pruning them back to about an inch above a bud. New fruit wood develops here.