Pruning an Old Apple Tree for Beginners: Diagrams and Instructions
Pruning is a necessary procedure for fruit trees. It rejuvenates the apple tree, giving it renewed vigor for growth and good fruit production. Our article will provide you with useful information on the proper pruning of older apple trees.
Content
- If you don't trim
- Correct pruning of an old apple tree
- System for renewing an adult apple tree
- Types of pruning (cutting techniques)
- Two important rules for renovating an old apple tree
- The best time to prune an old apple tree
- What to do with an old apple tree
- Pruning old apple trees on video
- Helpful tips
- Conclusion
If you don't trim
Gardeners often face the question: should they prune their old apple trees? If the tree is healthy and not rotten, this procedure can extend fruiting for 20 years. It's dangerous to leave decrepit and damaged branches on the tree. They can cause problems:
- diseases and harmful insects from damaged branches will migrate to healthy branches;
- a dense crown will limit the amount of sunlight reaching the shoots;
- the condition of the tree will deteriorate;
- the yield will decrease.
Correct pruning of an old apple tree
Pruning shapes the tree's crown. It's not recommended to remove all excess branches in one year. This will stress the tree and may cause disease or even death. This process is spread out over 2–3 years. This will allow the apple tree to recover quickly and produce a bountiful harvest.
System for renewing an adult apple tree
The pruning system for old, neglected trees is called the renewal system. This method controls the growth of new branches, the age of the wood, and fruiting.
What needs to be done:
- leave one central main branch;
- remove some stepsons, reduce others by a third of their length.
As a result, the fruits will be evenly distributed along the branches.
Pruning provides:
- crown formation;
- resizing;
- increasing crop yields;
- creating unfavorable conditions for diseases and pests.
Types of pruning (cutting techniques)
Depending on the purpose of pruning, the technique is selected:
- Cut The bud determines the direction of growth for the shoot. A slightly slanted cut is made in the branch with good growth in front of the bud to allow water to run off.
- One-year-old shoots are removed by cutting them to the base, allowing other shoots to grow healthy and strong.
- A lateral cut shortens the length of a branch above its lateral branch. This increases sunlight penetration into the crown.
Pruning methods:
- by shortening the shoots in stages over the course of 3 years, the size of the tree is reduced;
- Thinning reduces the number of branches by a third.
Two important rules for renovating an old apple tree
The following conditions must be met:
- Cut out all diseased and dried branches. Fruiting shoots should receive sufficient light.
- The place where a branch attaches to the tree trunk is called the "collar" or "ring." The bark at this point promotes wound healing. Always leave the "collar" intact; make the cut slightly above it.
The best time to prune an old apple tree
Pruning is stressful for plants. It's important to choose the right time to minimize the negative impact, taking into account the impact of climatic conditions:
- low winter temperatures make the bark and wood brittle;
- in summer, active sap flow adds to the problem;
- In spring and autumn, the negative impact of climate decreases.
In spring, pruning is done before the sap starts to flow. At this time, the cuts dry out quickly, and branches that died during the winter are clearly visible.
In the fall, the tree is rejuvenated after fruiting and leaf shedding, before frost sets in. This dormant period reduces the traumatic effects of the procedure.
Avoid pruning in early September. This will encourage the development of new cells during the winter dormancy period.
Renewing old apple trees in autumn: a diagram
The autumn update is as follows:
- remove the oldest, damaged, diseased branches;
- thin out the crown, cut out weak shoots;
- cut off the sprouts "at the ring";
- the cuts are covered with oil paint, drying oil, garden pitch;
- The collected branches are burned to destroy possible insects.
Fruit buds are formed on horizontal branches.
Pruning an old apple tree in spring: diagram and video
The spring procedure is carried out before the buds swell; the flow of sap helps wounds heal quickly.
Procedure:
- the cuts are coated with garden pitch;
- the shoots are shortened above the buds, and an oblique cut is made from the upper part to allow water to roll off;
- To properly form the crown, the lower and middle branches are made longer than the upper ones, and the central branch is made higher than the crown.
The size of the shortened part depends on the type of apple tree:
- for low-growing plants, the tops of the shoots are removed;
- medium-sized ones are shortened by one third;
- Long lengths are cut in half.
Last year's shoots are thinned out.
What to do with an old apple tree
The fruiting period of an apple tree without damage hollow can be extended for 20 years. To do this in the spring:
- cut off the main branch at the level of the third row of branches;
- lateral shoots are shortened to a ring;
- clean and disinfect the cuts;
- after drying, the stumps are treated with garden pitch;
- The growing branches are given the desired direction and a new crown is formed.
Some gardeners recommend treating cuts on branches with a diameter greater than 3 cm.
Maximum pruning and when it is needed
Maximum pruning is required after natural disasters. These include:
- heavy hail;
- drought;
- hurricane;
- fire.
In this case, all damaged areas are cut back to healthy wood. Only significant causes justify the most extensive pruning.
Sanitary pruning of apple trees
Pruning is carried out in the fall, removing excess branches and twigs, as well as parts of the tree susceptible to pests. Pruning is essential after natural disasters and diseases. Dry, diseased, and infected shoots are removed:
- branches are cut down to the fruit ring;
- the diseased branch is removed along with healthy wood;
- For broken shoots, only the broken part is removed.
Pruning neglected apple trees
Tall, neglected apple trees have a bare center due to insufficient sunlight. To address this, airflow and light through the crown are increased using three types of pruning:
- light cleaning shortens all shoots by a quarter of their length;
- medium pruning – half of all branches are cut by 1/3 of their length, the central trunk is shortened by 2 m;
- During intensive clearing, the size of large branches is reduced by half, and the growth of the tree is also halved.
Coinage
Pinching is used to reduce the yield of neglected apple trees. This involves pruning scaffold branches back to a level where strong growth occurred the previous year. The cut is made down to three-year-old branches. Each subsequent row of branches is pruned further than the previous one.
This quickly restores the apple tree. Otherwise, the pruning process is repeated.
After sanitary pruning, all cut branches must be burned.
Tools for pruning an old apple tree
You can't skimp on the tools for work. They must
be of good quality, sharply sharpened:
- Hand pruning shears are used to remove small branches and twigs up to 25 mm in diameter.
- Loppers are used to cut branches up to 5 cm in diameter.
- The hacksaw is designed to remove skeletal branches and main conductors with a diameter of more than 5 cm.
- Telescopic pruning shears are attached to a long pole, allowing you to trim branches at great heights.
Pruning old apple trees on video
Helpful tips
- Prune apple trees in late winter or early spring when they are dormant.
- Pay close attention to your tools. Monitor their functionality and disinfect them.
- Prune sparingly. Severe thinning stimulates active vegetative growth and reduces yield.
- Don't be afraid to prune large but non-fruiting branches. This is better than pruning shoots over several years.
- Removing a large number of branches will cause traumatic shock to the tree.
Conclusion
Pruning old apple trees is a necessary and challenging task. It requires proper preparation. After the procedure, proper cultivation continues and a bountiful harvest is achieved.
