Apple tree pruning, tree crown shaping

To get large yields, fruit trees are looked after throughout the season: the soil of the near-trunk circle is dug up and weeded from weeds, the trees are fertilized and abundantly watered, treated with insecticidal preparations for pests and fungicides for diseases. But, despite all efforts, the apple tree does not bear fruit abundantly.

One of the reasons for poor fruiting of an apple tree may be the deepening of the root collar. It should not be buried in the soil, otherwise the development of the tree will slow down and the apple tree will stop bearing fruit.

The root collar should be at ground level, and the graft should be slightly higher.

One of the most important stages apple tree care - autumn pruning and crown formation. If the crown of the tree is not formed, then it will be too thick. The branches will not receive enough light and nutrients. This will affect the formation of flower buds. Therefore, every autumn it is necessary to prune the apple tree.

Correct pruning of the apple tree

There should be no overgrowth on the rootstock, therefore, all shoots extending from the trunk below the graft must be removed. If the apple tree is own-rooted, then this is not necessary.

First of all, dried, sick, frozen, as well as branches directed inside the crown are removed. Growing vertically upwards - pinch or cut off, since no fruit buds are formed on such branches. It is necessary to find a bud directed away from the trunk, count two more buds from it, and cut the remaining branch with a pruner. The lateral bud will sprout next year.

If the branch of the apple tree diverges in two, then the shoot directed inside the crown is removed or a fruit shoot 4-5 cm long is formed from it, cutting it almost to the base. If the trunk of a tree splits in two, then under the weight of the fruit, it can break. Therefore, in this case, you need to either cut down half of the trunk, then the remaining one will straighten and grow like an ordinary apple tree, or fasten the two trunks with a thick wire or a metal hook, fixing it at the base of the first tier of skeletal branches so that the angle between the trunks does not become larger as growth of an apple tree.

For normal fruiting of an apple tree, the tree must have a strong central shoot, therefore, thickened skeletal branches and shoots that are higher than the central one are shortened.

Less nutrients are supplied to the lower branches of the apple tree, so it is better not to weaken the first tier of skeletal branches by pruning. On the first tier, only the crowns directed inward, diseased or frozen branches are removed.