Re: perennials DIGEST V3 #34

Date: Fri, 19 Jul 2002 12:28:18 -0400
From: Isabelle Hayes <bhayes@catskill.net>
Subject: OT; pruning apple trees

If anyone can assist, it would be greatly appreciated:

we have an old apple tree which hasn't been tended for years, is too
tall, and there are major branches which are dead;

we're going to take off the dead wood, that we know, but we also know
that a good fruit tree isn't allowed to grow tall but is encouraged to
grow laterally, so should we also take off the tallest growth?

TIA

Isabelle Hayes
Well, I am not an expert but I have maintained a few apple trees for about 20 years and they have done quite well. Yes, I would cut back tall branches to a lateral outward facing branch that is at a good height. I try to keep the trees to 10 feet or less so all apples can be picked from the ground and with a short ladder. Also, in the fall or early spring thin rather drastically to open up for light. Don't worry if the tree looks funny, it will fill out during the summer.

Howard Zalkin
Lafayette, Indiana zone 5

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