How do I prune an old apple tree?

15 years ago

I inherited a few apple trees, and I have the feeling that I need to prune them.

One of them only had 2 apples last year. It has lots (hundreds) of vertical shoots, and not too many fruiting buds, from what I can tell. I think I need to take off all of the vertical shoots, is that right?

The other one had a very heavy crop last year, and has many fewer of the vertical shoots, but it also has some dead wood, and branches that seem very weak with only a few leaves on them. I should take those off, right?

I've never done this before, and I'm worried that I'll screw it up.

Those are my main concern right now, but I've also got an Asian pear and two other pears. The apple, Asian pear, and one of the pears are probably all about 10 years old- so they are established. One pear was planted last year.

I really want to get a good crop this year, so any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

jean001
15 years ago
Many folks will suggest you prune at ground level, then start over.

Or you could graft those apples onto fresh rootstock.

Or, if you're convinced you want to keep the trees, check out this publication from Oregon State University.

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/ec/ec1005.pdf

That said, understand that the process requires 3 to 4 years to do it correctly.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pruning to restore an old, neglected apple tree
geraldo_linux
15 years ago
I would not recommend you to start at ground level.
Prune out the dead wood right now. Also cut off the vertical wood. Expect in July to go in and cut off the vertical again as it will regrow. It will not regrow much after summer pruning.
Probably more important than pruning is that you get a good cover on there for San Jose Scale. I would suggest Lorsban which will knock the devil out of them, but it is a restricted pesticide. If you can pay about $35, pass the test and purchase something like a backpack sprayer then you can buy Lorsban. It is not cheap, but it will last you a long time and it is very, very effective. I don't where you are in WA as you didn't state, but I can assure you that you have a heavy scale infestation and it will shortly kill those trees. That is very possibly what has killed the limbs that are presently dead.
I would disagree about three to four years to rejuvenate. A dormant, a summer, and another dormant will have those trees looking good. So that would be about 15 months.
You are going to have to spray them.
Related Discussions
how to prune a fuji apple tree?
Q
Comments (15)
Nora, you need to know that planting a seed from a Fuji apple will not produce a Fuji apple tree :-) You will just get a seedling no-name apple that may or may not bear fruit that has any resemblance to a Fuji. And it could take as long as 7-8 years for a seedling grown tree to produce fruit. Pruning should begin at an early age and be maintained biennially if not annually so as to avoid taking too much off at any one time and encouraging the tree to grow in the form that is most conducive to fruit production and harvesting. There are various methods and lots of online articles that illustrate how and when. And I would heartily disagree that finding someone who knows about fruit tree pruning at a nursery is unlikely!! We teach fruit tree pruning classes at my nursery and a fruit tree specialty nursery is even more likely to have knowledgeable staff on hand. But perhaps the caliber of nursery staffing is superior in my neck of the woods than that of the original responder :-))
...See More
Young apple trees - spray, prune - what to do?
Q
Comments (4)
Hi Jiver! I live north of Detroit and also have a HoneyCrisp. This is its fourth year of life. The first year that it fruited we had about five gorgeous and tasty apples (that is all it gave us). Last year it was full of apples, but it was also full of every pest and fungus known to Michigan apples (Cedar Apple Rust, flyspeck, Plum Leaf Curculio, apple maggot, web worms, leaf roller, and more)! I was a newbie and had no clue how to prepare for it or what to do about it. This year I have read up and am hoping for better success. I want to avoid chemicals so am climbing uphill. I would love to keep up with you as we both attempt to keep our apples healthy to harvest so maybe we can learn from each other. I cleaned up every leaf and dropped apple, threw away all the bad apples from the tree, and carefully inspected the tree (often) for signs of bad leaves or bugs (which I pinched off upon discovery). I semi-thinned (left two or three on each bunch) my apples out a few weeks ago but hadn't yet learned about bagging. I sprayed it with copper soap and a soap spray distributed by Gardens Alive to control fungus. This method requires reapplication every 7 days AND after every rain. This is high-maintenance but not a big deal when you only have one tree. I just bagged my tree this week and noticed as I was out there that several of the baby apples had bug bites already. I am afraid this means they've been parasitized, so I clipped them off and threw them away. I thinned to only one or two apples on a bunch and bagged all that looked healthy. I hated to clip off all those with bug bites, but I should still have over 100 large apples to harvest. I think next year I will be sure to bag it the week BEFORE Memorial Day since this week (the week following Memorial Day) there was a fairly high incidence of insect activity. I look forward to hearing of your success.
...See More
How do I prune this? (apple tree)
Q
Comments (3)
the guide the local orchard gave me was specific to prune during the first year. this is why I did this. there was specific directions on what to do when, but I didn't do it when I first planted and now I'm not sure if I need to chop the header or what. All I know is that it isn't growing new branches like the other trees are.
...See More
pruning an old apple tree
Q
Comments (3)
Winter into very early spring is the time of year to do apple pruning. Depending on where you are, your local cooperative extension service may have workshops. My local orchard does a pruning workshop and there may be something in that area. Or check out books in your public library on fruit tree pruning. Regardless, don't try to get long-unpruned trees into shape in just one season; taking too much off at one time will cause the tree to send out a bunch of "water sprouts", fast-growing shoots which won't produce fruit and won't be shaped well as far as overall tree structure.
...See More
boizeau
15 years ago
If you can post a picture of the trees, it would be a lot easier to reply. Some of the old 'Pioneer trees'- most in fact, are full of heart rot from improper care and many are also virus infected. When you say "old", just how old do you think they are?
How large is your property? Can you live with the apple trees using up half of your lot?
I tend to think that, unless a tree has immpressive value as an ornamental or shade, it is best in many respects to cut them about at ground level.
We now have a variety of size controlling rootstocks, that keep fruit trees below 12 feet tall. This means they take up less room in the yard
Are easier to prune
Are easier to spray
Are easier to harvest
Also, the size controlling rootstocks bring the tree into bearing age faster than a standard tree.
The cost of disposing of pruning branches on a standard tree or several can easily cost $100/year.
Are the apples on one tree enough to justify this cost?
So, in brief, unless one of those trees has outstanding fruit and has an attractive form...........
Call for the chainsaw.
Apple does make awesome firewood.
kmj1025
15 years ago
I have 2 old apple trees as well. They are from my greatgrandfather. They produce wonderful apples and great flavor. I would like to know if I need to spray them?

I have some scarring on them that I would to get rid of.

Thanks

Related Stories

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Crab Apple Trees Set Off a Stylish English Courtyard

By Jo Simmons

A structure of pleached crab apple trees, bordered by a wildflower meadow, links a minimalist addition to an old house in Buckinghamshire

Full Story

WINTER GARDENING Pruning Secrets for Exquisite Roses

By Annie Thornton

Encourage gorgeous blooms year after year with this time-tested advice on how to prune your rosebush in winter for health and shape

Full Story

130

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Add an Apple Tree to Your Edible Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Readily available, beautiful and fragrant, apple trees offer four-season interest along with crisp, juicy fruit

Full Story

EDIBLE GARDENS Why Grow Quince? For Beauty, Fragrance and Old-Time Flavor

By Marianne Lipanovich

Delightfully perfumed fruit and lovely spring blossoms make this apple and pear cousin worth a spot in the garden

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Tidy Up Sprawling Native Shrubs With These Pruning Tips

By Oakley Gardens

Sound horticultural pruning methods work for native and nonnative plants alike

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES How to Prune Your Flowering Shrubs for the Best Blooms

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Less is often more when it comes to properly pruning flowering shrubs. Here’s what to do and why

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Got Frost-Damaged Plants? How It Happens, and When and How to Prune

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Crispy brown leaves are a sure sign that Jack Frost has been to your neighborhood

Full Story

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Crazy for Fruit Trees

By Marianne Lipanovich

Whether a single citrus or a mini apple orchard, even the smallest landscape space can bear deliriously delicious fruit

Full Story

FARM YOUR YARD If You Have Room for Only One Fruit Tree ...

By Bill Marken

Juice up a small garden with one of these easier-care or worth-the-effort fruit trees for a mild climate

Full Story

CHRISTMAS 11 New Uses for Old-School Christmas Ornaments

By Amber Hopman

Been there, done that with the tree? Have an embarrassment of extra ornaments? Try these beautifully creative decorations this Christmas

Full Story

How do I prune an old apple tree?

Comments (4)

jean001

geraldo_linux

Related Discussions

boizeau

kmj1025

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US