Author Topic: How early can I prune apples? (Read 4942 times)

princesslayer · « **on:** November 08, 2015, 07:42:21 am »

Hi people,

How early can I prune my three year old apple trees? I need to put up some extra protection round them ASAP and don't want to have to take it down again in midwinter to prune, though I will if I have to.

Thanks

DavidandCollette · « **Reply #1 on:** November 08, 2015, 09:24:37 am »

Having attended a short pruning course last January it would seem that January and February is the best time.

Fleecewife · « **Reply #2 on:** November 08, 2015, 12:20:17 pm »

I wouldn't prune until all the leaves have fallen and the fruit is off.

The danger of pruning too early is that you then get frost damage to the cut ends and you end up having to cut back even further. Not good with a young tree you are still trying to shape. Or if the autumn weather is still balmy, as this year, your tree might try to put up fresh growth before the winter, instead of hanging onto its resources until spring.

When is the best time depends very much on your location. I leave mine until very late winter, say March, or even into April if we are having a particularly cold spell. Definitely don't prune when it's actually frosty. Judge by your local weather conditions at the time.

For me, here, I would protect the tree now, then remove the protection temporarily to prune at the right time

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #3 on:** November 08, 2015, 02:23:17 pm »

Does your tree need additional protection in Hampshire? Our young trees survived 90 cm of snow, minus13 degrees C. of frost and 100 mph winds on a hilltop in the Marches (although not all at once).

princesslayer · « **Reply #4 on:** November 08, 2015, 10:10:39 pm »

Thanks all. MF it's protection from a pony, they already have low protection from sheep but it needs a higher layer. I'll put something on now and take it off later.

Lesley Silvester · « **Reply #5 on:** November 08, 2015, 11:40:58 pm »

Ahem. I wish you'd posted this earlier. I pruned mine the other week. I thought the goats would enjoy the leaves and twiggy bits. Oops.

pgkevet · « **Reply #6 on:** November 09, 2015, 07:28:15 am »

I've always pruned mine end nov when the leaves are off and not had any problems although this year it's going to be later just because everything is.

Caroline1 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 09, 2015, 11:03:55 pm »

I was planning to wait another month to do mine, good to know what others are doing though

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #8 on:** December 10, 2015, 04:49:22 pm »

I generally prune whenever I remember to, once the leaves are off the trees. Worked OK so far.

pgkevet · « **Reply #9 on:** January 07, 2016, 10:38:59 am »

Finally had a little sun yesterday and a gap in rain so started on the espaliers. Still one tree with a leaf or two on it. Got about half of the run done (it's a long run) before running out of garden wire.