Question on pruning Blenheim Apricot tree
Dave Johnson
last year
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Comments (13)
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
last yearCA Kate z9
last yearRelated Discussions
New Harcot Apricot pruning question
Comments (6)That is how you stimulate lower branch development; cut it to 18-24" above the graft point if the caliper (taper) of the scion is 3/4" or less 6" up from the graft point. If it is larger diameter there is a fair chance there are no viable vegetative buds left to sprout in that range in which case I'd cut it at 36" above the graft point and take what you can get. Keep in mind this topping is supposed to occur just as the tree is breaking dormancy. If it has broken dormancy for a while, it will weep a lot more and be stressed. Watch out for borers....See MoreI'm afraid to prune my 3 year old Apricot tree!
Comments (4)Ginny: Apricots in CA are susceptible to a fairly serious disease called Eutypa dieback. It is more likely to occur in coastal climates than inland but can be serious even in the central valleys. Control includes limiting pruning to July and August inland and August only near the coast. These are good times to prune for shaping or to control vigor. My only concern is that major pruning that time of yr can leave the tree susceptible to sunburn. What I'd probably do is moderate pruning to open the center of the tree. Also shorten some branches by cutting to a less vigorous side shoot heading in the direction you desire. Do this every yr and you will have the tree under control. Don't worry about making the wrong cut. The tree will survive and grow another branch. Then you will have another chance to get it right. In most places in CA at lower elevations apricots bear nearly every yr. The rest of the country can only dream of such. So don't worry about getting the perfect shape...you will get fruit on any shape tree in the good locations. You also might paint any freshly exposed branches with white latex paint to help avoid sunburn. The Fruitnut...See MoreApricot tree pruning question
Comments (1)Give it some time. All you need to make a tree is one shoot. Post back with a picture of the actual tree after it grows more and I bet you'll get more responses....See MoreHow to Prune this Apricot Tree?
Comments (5)the root system needs the energy from those leaves to get ready for winter. Wait until Feb- March to prune. That is plenty of time to learn more about the whys and hows. I would be looking for another variety or two to graft on for pollen. Do a few grafts to increase your odds of success. You don't have much trunk protection there. Tree is still young enough to horribly injured if you have any deer at all coming there. You need a plan for pruning. If you were to read various random posts around the web you will see the term "be brutal" but be smart instead. It may appear brutal, but that has nothing to do with the strategy. Establish what will be your scaffold branches.. these are the ones you will want to have as your permanent sructural branches. you want them low on the tree and ideally 45 degrees (between horizontal and straight up). If needed you can adjust their angle with a weight on the ground and string, in the spring. Those scaffolds should not be blocking each others sun. prune away stuff like that. Also prune away any growing straight up other then your main center, which you can cut it shorter, it will restart itself. You need to pull down the height quite a bit. Keep reading this forum. Magazines, blogs and youtube are loaded with people who don't know what they are doing, but pretending they do....See MoreDave Johnson
last yearCA Kate z9
last yearfloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last yearCA Kate z9
last yearfloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last yearDave Johnson
12 months agolast modified: 12 months agoBabka NorCal 9b
12 months agoCA Kate z9
12 months agoSoCalGardenNut
11 months agolast modified: 11 months agoLinda Ann
11 months ago
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Babka NorCal 9b