BLOOMING PROBLEMS, & PRUNING HONEYCRISP & HARAL-RED APPLE TREES..

8 years ago

I have had two so-called dwarf apple trees which I've tried to get apples from for 7-10 years, but they have NEVER bloomed at all until this year! The trees are: Honeycrisp Apple, and Haralson-Red, a hybrid of the Haralson APPLE....

As I said these were supposed to be dwarf, or semi dwarf trees, I cut down the original Haralson apple tree I had many years ago, because it just got to big and high for me to harvest, and the Honeycrisp was a new Minnesota Apple at the time, which I loved and thought it would be a good replacement..

Anyway, I've posted before about what can I do to get them to bloom... but no help was forthcoming, other than mentioning fertilizer, and soil/water issues....

Now, THIS YEAR, I was stunned when I noticed a week ago I DO have apples growing on both trees way on the very top of the highest branches! Only 3 apples are on the Honeycrisp, and 4 of them on the Haral-Red, but they are growing on the highest branches of each tree, which is way too high for ME to reach to harvest in a normal way... I have a son who may be able to pick them with a huge stepladder when ripe this year, to get my first taste of the apples from my trees, but if we get MORE apples next year, I'll be hard pressed to reach them.

So, MY questions!

1. What can do to encourage blooming next year... I've checked water, and soil samples, and that was never any problem...

I've heard some folk tales of beating the tree branches to stress and encourage the tree to go into propagation mode rather than leaf production, but it sounds pretty far-fetched for me... Is there any truth to this stuff?

2. More importantly, is there any way to cut/prune? the tree severely removing MANY branches, especially from the top of the tree, so the tree will grow into a manageable height, and become pretty much the dwarf it was advertised at the nursery when I bought them? I remember a neighbor who just hacked HIS apple tree branches a few years ago, and it looked just awful the next year, but it eventually recovered and continues even today to produce fruit.

Those of you who are apple tree fanciers please try to help me!

Thanks, Gary

If one man, and a few appleseeds can change a world.... I can too! ...Jonathon Chapman (Johnny Appleseed)

Featured Answer

Charles Griebell

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

It's very important to regularly prune every fruit tree. Pruning stimulates new growth and keeps the size of the tree managable. Apples blossom on 2-3 year old wood, so make sure you don't prune those off. Here's what I would do:

this winter:

1. Heavily prune the branches in the center of the tree. This promotes good health by increasing air circulation.

2. Heavily prune the vertical leaders. You want to keep the plant at a managable size with a sturdy stature. Also, not many apples come from those vertical branches. If the apples do flowers from the tops of those branches, pick them off. The branches are going to bend and look sad if you leave too many apples on those ones.

3. Let the tree grow strong scaffolding branches. Prune any horizontal leaders that grow too far away from the tree to a reasonable distance (4-5 buds away from the branch's armpit) just above the bud at a 45-degree angle cut downwards.

4. Prune off crossing branches, inward horizontal branches, or any branches growing in the direction you wouldn't want them to grow in at their armpit. Be sure to make a very clean, angled cut, to prevent infection

Onwards:

1. Do a little Touchup pruning here and there. Keep the size in check.

2. Add a golden delicious apple tree to your arsenal. They are the best pollinators for other apple trees.

3. Because Apples are Self-Sterile (They need another variety to pollinate with in order to produce fruit), Whacking the branches won't help. The bees will do the job for you. Just to be safe, rub a clean paintbrush on the flowers of the different trees to spread the pollen.

Hope you get apples Soon!

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Comments (6)

swede1234
Original Author
8 years ago
THANKS, CHARLES! I wish you were here to help me beat my trees into submission this fall... I know so little about care of such things, and I'm physically unable to do it anyway.... my son says he knows a lot about nursery stuff, and I'll have to depend on him... Oh, how soon would it be good to prune them, do I have to wait until the snow flies?...We live in Central MN.... Also, is it likely I'd get apples next spring? How long does it take to take effect after pruning?

Take care,

Gary

"May your troubles, trials, and misfortunes have a short
shelf-life!.
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Charles Griebell
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I'd wait until the tree goes dormant, and there is a good chance you will get apples
swede1234
Original Author
8 years ago
Ok, Charles... how do I know when that is... when the leaves have fallen off?
rphcfb14
8 years ago
If you want, Youtube Apple pruning. There are a lot of good ones. I like Stephen Hayes, an English guy. He makes it easy to understand.

Dormancy is a stage when a tree has no leaves left. MN you can do it in the middle of winter or early spring. It will be easy for you to see how to shape you tree. An open center style is used to control height. Google the pictures for some ideas.
swede1234 thanked rphcfb14
swede1234
Original Author
8 years ago
Great! I love the 21rst Century.... I've learned so much on my computer & YouTube.... Looks like my next learning session will be how to prune trees!

Thanks...send me some links, if you'd be so kind!

Have a great weekend... Gary

BLOOMING PROBLEMS, & PRUNING HONEYCRISP & HARAL-RED APPLE TREES..

Charles Griebell

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BLOOMING PROBLEMS, & PRUNING HONEYCRISP & HARAL-RED APPLE TREES..

Charles Griebell

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