Kitchen Garden Forum

There’s an old apple tree in our garden, and probably partially to do with this years poor weather, the apples are small, cracked and dropping like crazy.

I want to prune it back hard but don’t really know how. It’ll have to wait a little as there is a wood pigeon sitting on a nest in it.

No idea if apples set on last years growth or new growth with it. Any suggestions on how to figure that out?

If I give it a severe haircut will I kill it?

Hi Myrkk,

Funnily I was reading something very similar in a mag Q&A section, but can't find the mag, (another reason not to tidy up). Don't do anything based on what I post but the gist of what I remember is he was told to clear all the fruit & cut the branches back by half & leave the rest of the 'proper' pruning until colder & full leaf drop around Xmas time. It was also suggested he weed under the tree & keep it clear & to give the area a very light sprinkle of feed, soz again can't remember what with but was to replace washed out nutrients to give it a little head start next season.

OK not particularly helpful, but as you know someone else on here will know for sure!

To prune old apple trees, you need to ;-
Prune in late winter when the tree is dormant and will suffer less shock
Remove dead, damaged, diseased, crossing, or crowded branches
Reduce tree height by cutting branches that grow vertically or hang down
Develop a strong framework by leaving branches that have a slight upward angle and glossy bark
Prune sail branches that catch the wind and cause the tree to lean
Snip water sprouts that grow from the trunk or branches
Shorten scaffold branches to boost fruit size and quality