How to prune dwarf apple trees: basic formation methods in spring, summer and autumn
You need to prune fruit trees regularly, otherwise their yield will decrease, or the fruits will become of lower quality. When pruning dwarf apple trees, there are a number of recommendations to consider.
Is pruning of dwarf apple trees necessary?
Dwarf apple trees must be pruned. Rotten twigs are the main source of pathogenic microorganisms that lead to a variety of diseases. If not pruned in time, rot can spread to healthy young branches. As a result, the tree will suffer.
In addition, if the crown is too massive, the plant will produce few fruits. However, they will be small, wormy and unappetizing.
The crown should not be larger than the root system. If it is too large, the roots will not be able to receive the nutrients necessary for the growth and development of the tree. As a result, the plant will begin to wilt until it dies.
Timing of pruning
Usually, branches are pruned in autumn and spring. Moreover, each type has its own characteristics. Autumn pruning must be carried out after all the leaves have crumbled. This suggests that the growing season of the plant is over, and it "went into hibernation."
But it is not recommended to do it too late. Cutting off old branches just before the onset of frost will leave an open wound. This can provoke decay.
Spring pruning should be done in early spring before the buds begin to swell. It is forbidden to perform the procedure during the flowering period - so the tree will be severely injured. The plant produces a large amount of sap, which speeds up the healing process. Even if the autumn pruning was carried out, in the spring you will still have to correct the crown by removing the branches that have frozen over the winter.
Summer pruning is rare. Thanks to her, the plant will bloom late next season. This will keep it from freezing in case of bad weather.
How to prune a dwarf apple tree?
In the process of work, it is necessary to take into account a number of rules. If the crown is cut too much, few leaves will appear in the spring, which will disrupt the process of feeding the tree. The plant will suffer from this, bear fruit poorly.
Thinning
Dwarf apple trees give very good yields. This is due to the fact that the lower the height of the tree, the more fruits are formed on it. However, a large number of apples lead to the sagging of the branches, due to which the tree will begin to deplete over time.The harvest may remain the same, but the fruit will become wormy, pale and very small.
To avoid such problems, you need to thin out the ovary. Due to this, the tree will produce less fruit. Therefore, there will be a small load on the branches.
But in the thinning process, it is necessary to take into account a number of important rules:
- It is advisable to carry out the procedure in June. It is at this time that extra ovaries will become sluggish and begin to spontaneously fall off.
- The ovaries should not be torn off. It is enough to shake off the branches thoroughly, so that they will fall off on their own.
- If there are too many ovaries and they do not fall off, they can be thinned out with garden shears.
Thinning helps remove weak or diseased apples. As a result, the harvest will be less abundant, but the fruits will be larger.
Removal of the kidneys
In the spring, the apical buds are the very first to open. Long shoots will be formed from them in the future. If these buds are not pruned, an uneven load will be placed on the branches. It is better to leave only the middle buds, which will also give strong shoots.
But before cutting them, you need to carefully examine them. It is necessary to leave those buds that are necessary for the formation of the correct crown of the tree.
Crown formation
Young trees grow very intensively. However, over time, their growth slows down. Nevertheless, new shoots are formed from dormant buds. As a result, the crown thickens, and the fruits are formed only in the upper layers of the crown, and in the inner ones they are absent due to insufficient sunlight.
If you do not form the correct crown, the plant will begin to sag under the weight of the branches. There is an increased risk of the tree splitting into 2 pieces.
In the process of forming the crown of a dwarf or half-dwarf apple tree, you must take into account the following recommendations:
- Regulate the growth of branches. The stronger ones must be lower than the weaker ones, otherwise the latter will be depleted and dry up.
- Different tools must be used depending on the thickness of the branches. To trim thicker ones, you need to use a pruner or a hacksaw, and for thinner ones, garden shears are suitable.
- It is necessary to form the crown from the first years after planting the plant.
Crown formation is a rather complicated process, since you need to keep it natural. That is, even after removing unnecessary branches and buds, its crown should not have an irregular shape.
Pyramidal pruning
In this case, a dense trunk with a height of up to 2 m remains in the center. Side branches extend from it, the average length of which is 1 m. The length of the branches is shortened upward. As a result, the tree resembles a pyramid.
Rootstock pruning
After grafting, the plant needs to wait several years before pruning. During this time, the branches will strengthen and develop well. In about 2-3 years, the main shoot will be formed - it is the thickest and healthiest. And the side branches can be removed. It is better to do this in spring or summer.
Pinching shoots
Held during the warm season. When pinching (pinching), young, not yet lignified processes are removed. This can be done without special tools, manually, removing only the tips of the shoot. If you need to cut a thicker part, a pruner is used.
During summer pinching, the plant retains the necessary nutrients, tissue healing is faster. The procedure should be carried out in stages. You need to repeat it three times, with a frequency between repetitions of 2-3 weeks. It is advisable that the last pinching is carried out no later than mid-August, otherwise the young sprouts will not ripen and die with the onset of the first frost.
Pruning by tree age
Also, when pruning a tree, it is imperative to take into account its age.
Apple tree 1st year of life
It is recommended to shorten annual seedlings so that their height does not exceed 50 cm. If the procedure is carried out correctly, then by August there should already be several developed shoots on the tree.
2nd year of life
In the second year of life, preferably in the spring, the central conductors should be cut. The distance between the tallest part of the tree and the top branch should not exceed 20 cm. Also, the side branches that grow downwards should be pruned.
3rd year of life
Work should be carried out in the spring in order to less injure the plant. Lateral shoots must be shortened by 20 cm, and the central branch by 5-10 cm. At the end of summer, shoots must also be shortened by 3 leaves.
Adult apple tree
Grown trees must be pruned annually. Manipulations should be carried out in late autumn and early spring. It is necessary to monitor the length of the side branches so that it does not exceed 0.5 m. The conductors must also be cut so that the height of an adult apple tree is no more than 2-2.5 m.
Common beginner mistakes
Very often people start pruning branches without proper experience. As a result, they cut too much, use the wrong tools, or do not adhere to technology. The plant may suffer from this.
In order not to harm the tree, it is imperative to take into account the following recommendations:
- Tools need to be purchased of high quality, with a sharp blade. If the scissors or secateurs are bad, the grower will not be able to remove the extra branches in one cut.
- After work, the tools must be washed and wiped well. Keep them dry to prevent rust.
- You need to cut the branches to the optimal length. If you shorten them too much, this will negatively affect the condition of the tree.
- If the fruit-bearing branches are not forming, you need to find a healthy bud and peel off the bark above it a little.
- The procedure can be carried out only when the plant is at rest. It is better to do this in late autumn and early spring.
- If you need to remove too many branches, then it is better to do it in stages, in the spring. Removing all the branches at once can cause shock to the plant.
Getting started pruning apple treesit is recommended to seek the advice of more experienced gardeners. Otherwise, you can harm your garden.
