My Apple trees are out of control-Can I trim them in late fall (Nov.) and how much?

Answer 1

Apple trees need to be pruned every one to two years, to be healthy and productive.

The best time to prune is late winter, before trees start to visibly quicken and bud, but after the hardest cold spells.

Pruning is more of an art than a science, it takes a little experience to judge which branches will grow best, and produce the best shape.

For the most part, only one year old growth should be removed.

With apples, prune first year branches down so that only three or four side buds are remaining, with the bud nearest the cut pointing outwards.

Branches that grow inwards, that cross or compete with other branches should be *completely* removed down to the parent branch. Small, shaded interior shoots, "water sprouts", and "suckers" likewise. Larger limbs that cross, rub, or that mostly grow intermingled with other branches above them can be sawn of carefully, as long as they don't create a large gap in shape of the tree. The idea is that individual branches should have to their own "personal space", so they can get as much light as possible.

If your trees are too tall to pick with a stepladder, tall, central, vigorous branches can be cut down to a manageable height; leaving enough small central branches to fill in with new growth.

I would say, when in doubt, leave a branch alone. It's better to prune a tree slowly over several seasons, than to chop the tree back all at once. Finally, a well pruned tree should look natural, and aesthetically pleasing to the eye; if taking a certain branch will make the tree look uglier, don't.

Maybe, ask someone with experience to show you the some of the basics before you start on your own.

A side note, you may want to rend a wood chipper, to clean up all the branches when you're done.

Good luck, take it easy at first.
~W.O.M.B.A.T.

Answer 2

***********Apple Growing
********Mott's/aka applesauce
Scroll down and take it from the experts.
http://www.motts.com/product_info/growing.asp
Winter:
After harvest, activities begin to slow down for the apple grower. Apple trees go to sleep or into "dormancy" during the winter months. During dormancy, apple growers will prune the apple trees so that they are ready for the next growing season.
PS I'll be planting my first apple trees in about a week so I'm glad to know this. Fuji/Granny Smith dwarf

Answer 3

prune it by cutting the barnches a third of the branches. remove any branches that u may like..this is called liberating the tree and the tree will thank you for it. do it just after the harvesting season. that way you will avoid cutting the buds that my be forming for the next year.

Answer 4

I've been thinking about cutting back my maple tree but a friend of mine who is a horticulturalist said wait till spring.It's too much of a shock to their system this close to winter