Pruning Apple and Pear Trees

Regular pruning of apple and pear trees is necessary to promote more fruit bearing growths, and therefore more fruit. There are 2 pruning seasons for apples and pears - summer and winter.

The summer pruning. Simply prune the current season's growth back 6 or 7 buds from the main stem. This will encourage more fruiting spur growths to form and also transfer more of the tree's energies into building up the current fruit  crop.

The winter pruning. In the winter, simply prune out any overcrowded fruit spurs, remove any diseased branches and also prune out any 'crossing' branches. Aim also to open up the centre of the tree.

With apple trees in particular, remember when 'shaping' your tree, that horizontal branches bear more fruit that vertical branches. 

Old, neglected trees are best, treated by pruning over 3 or 4 years. Otherwise there will be excessive growth if you prune too hard.

Pictures to follow on this

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