how do i prune an apple tree with a lot of top growth to get more apples next year?

Answer 1

Cut the vertical branches - going to high - merciless with special tools

Keep 4/5 main branches and make sure that the new form close to kind of lower umbrella - Cut them /3 feet - and always let small young branches on the ends

My method is drastic - and fruits maybe will not be as numerous during one year - but then after ...OK

That work should be done in december - sunny day and no frost if possible

What I propose is a restructuration pruning - this normally should not be done each year - but remember : eliminate vertical branches - and all this in december - climate in GB is not that "northern"

Answer 2

Remember with apple trees the harder you prune the more vigorous they grow back, just like roses. Prune when they are dormant and I like to seal the cuts with prunning compound. You do know that apple trees need to cross-pollinate with an apple from the same pollinating group. If you did not and you only have one apple in your garden then this may be the answer. In any case you should borrow a book from the library, the R.H.S. book on pruning is very good. hope this was a help, best of luck.

Answer 3

HI pinky, its February its not sub zero and you have a razor sharp saw, loppers and secateurs. Well try and imagine an apple tree no more than 8ft tall and no branches below 5 ft yes got that , when you prune big branches that are above that its best to take them down to where they branch from, rather than dead on 8ft you will see little creases in the bark at joints between branches, cut them just above that. any branches that look like they are a year old [ usually no side branches on them] prune them back to about 2 inc so you have a disc don’t worry about the width, the wider the better, if there are any long branches which are a little low you might want to prop them up with some nice strait branches you cut off. next in the middle of the tree creating opening, about 3 ft across, remove all branches except any that look like they could fill a gap further out in the canopy, clean the main trunk of every small branch, make sure you cut them tight back . Now have a close look at what you have left take out all the dead, crossing damaged or diseased and any weak looking stuff , what you want are evenly spaced branches, you will notice different types of growth, long strait healthy and small stubby growths, [they are like miniature trees coming off bigger branches], the latter are the ones that are going to flower and produce fruit , there are a few varieties that do things a little different, but I ant got all day! Let’s start with the strong strait braches, don't listen to any one who tells you to prune them ALL back to a couple of buds, that’s tosh. first just tip any which are furthest out, just to help with shape, then in the canopy I like to prune about half back to 2 inc usually the once with the least space around them, the rest again if they are in free space leave them. finally I think we need to tidy the spurs up, be warned it can take time, but you will have better quality fruit when done, I like to leave 3-5 little buds on each little spur tree. always take out the weakest looking first, then the ones that have grown out furthest, now you need to take out any little spur trees that are growing to close to one another. Looking good hey! Your tree is a little stressed now, so you could remove any grass that’s growing around it and, in late march give a little blood fish and bone.

Answer 4

Pruning Questions And Answers - Orchard's Edge
Questions and Answers about Fruit and Nut Bearing Trees and Plants. Question: Can you tell me how to prune or trim a Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry? Answer: The Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry has a peculiar shape. ... The best time to prune your apple tree is when it is dormant ... If the stems found low in the tree become too droopy, shorten them ...
http://orchardsedge.com/qa.jsp?category=Fruit+and+Nut+Bearing+...+and+Plants

Answer 5

In addition to the other comments, only prune those branches that are not offering new growth

Answer 6

lets say you have a delicious , it may not necessarily fruit every year ; where a granny smith might do the opposite and produce every year . but anyhow this is not answering your question . if you have top growth , as you suggest , then remove what you can from the middle , therefore allowing your tree to shrub . good luck .

Answer 7

Do not -- I repeat -- do not EVER prune apple trees. However, I would suggest next spring using pro-apple spray if you want your tree to produce more apples. Disclaimer: I don't know what I'm talking about, and I'm not actually Saint Nearly.

Answer 8

Not being funny but have you tried going to the library to get a book out to do with this as it will show you pictures and will make it clear as to what needs to be done

Answer 9

trim the top good since it is harder to get the apples from there ,It will help the lower ones grow better.

Answer 10

standard rule is do not trim off more that 25%. trim the verticle branches. do this in january in northern hemisphere.