I need help! I've been pruning trees for years now and have even managed a small apple orchard. My problem is this... I run into a lot of homeowners trees that have been topped, mangled or severly pruned in the past and I am asked to prune the tree so it produces and looks nice. I know how to properly prune an apple tree from the start, but what when its' been pruned incorrectly in the past, how do you do it? It's on option to tell the home owner," it's too late to do anything about it", yet I'd like to be able to help them to give them and the tree a fighting chance. Specifically I run into a tree that is bare from 5 feet up, to a mass of green about a foot in width on top. Any suggestions? I know there are a lot of theories to make a tree produce fruit, but are there any that work? Other than the standard sccaffold limbs and the like? I know species an varieties have a lot to do with the training, but for your average homeowner what do you do?
pruning fruit trees for production
- Thread starter jambrose
- Start date
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
A tree that you're describing is a tough one. Trying to force low limbs is going to be a long term committment on the owner and your part. You could graft I guess.
If I have trees that are messed up from storms, topping, or other mangling, I generally just follow proper practices with what is there to prune and let the tree direct me in years to come. If the top is nothing but a witches broom of sprouts, I'll prune for structure and try to emulate the natural growth pattern. By cleaning out the criss crossing limbs you might be able to trip the tree into replacing that foliage lower on the trunk.
What season do you do your major pruning in? It would seem that you could trip the tree by doing the pruning in late winter just as bud growth is starting. You might try to nick the bark above a bud on the trunk to try and stimulate growth. I've never done that but it's in all of the orchard pruning books.]
Tom
If I have trees that are messed up from storms, topping, or other mangling, I generally just follow proper practices with what is there to prune and let the tree direct me in years to come. If the top is nothing but a witches broom of sprouts, I'll prune for structure and try to emulate the natural growth pattern. By cleaning out the criss crossing limbs you might be able to trip the tree into replacing that foliage lower on the trunk.
What season do you do your major pruning in? It would seem that you could trip the tree by doing the pruning in late winter just as bud growth is starting. You might try to nick the bark above a bud on the trunk to try and stimulate growth. I've never done that but it's in all of the orchard pruning books.]
Tom
