Preparing apple trees for winter - pruning

For better yields and the prevention of diseases, all fruit trees before the cold weather need to eliminate old and unnecessary branches. In addition, the correct formation of the crown and the height of the trunk will give its results in the next season - the harvest will be richer than in previous years. Also, the elimination of dry forests and excess shoots will heal the apple tree. Burned waste branches can be a wonderful fertilizer for any suburban area or home garden. In this article, we will talk about how to prune an apple tree for the winter.

Features of winter pruning

One of the best times to remove old and painful branches on a fruit tree is undoubtedly winter - the garden is preparing for the "sleep" period and is no longer so sensitive. Therefore, to the question "Is it possible to cut an apple tree in winter?" we give an affirmative answer - yes, you can. The main thing here is when to prune the apple tree for the winter. In the spring, pruning apple trees is not as useful as in winter. Since pruning during this time period can injure fruit trees more than they will benefit.

It is important to choose the season

Experienced experts recommend that summer residents and amateur gardeners first decide on the goals of pruning: yield and liquidation of dry forests or correct crown and healthy shoots. If the first option is the priority, then the spring season is worth choosing. If the second, then it will be correct to prune apple trees for the winter. In addition, in the southern regions, where there are no severe winter frosts, this process can be started in the middle of the season. The main thing is that before pruning, the individual must be at rest with slow sap flow along the branches.

Winter benefits

In the cold season, fruit trees are literally dormant. Therefore, even an inexperienced summer resident will not inflict significant injuries on them during the formation of the crown or the removal of dry branches. It is advisable to decide on the method of cropping in advance, especially with diagrams and photos. Experts recommend choosing the most convenient one that is best for you.

Choosing a trimming method

On the Internet, you can find a photo or video of cutting apple trees for the winter. This method is more convenient for beginners who are mastering such "execution" for the first time. For experienced gardeners, a textual instruction or diagram will also be understandable. The most important thing during the winter pruning of an apple tree is not to thin out the crown too much and not to leave a lot of extra branches.

Types of trimming

Experts share two methods for eliminating dry forests and excess apple tree shoots - shortening and cutting. In the first option, the length of the branches is removed, and in the second, unnecessary and dry parts of the tree are simply eliminated. However, in any case, the cut must be made at an acute angle, and the place of damage itself must be smeared with a special gardening substance or ordinary oil paint. This is necessary to prevent infection of the cut with parasites and prevents the outflow of juices from the trunk.

Crown formation

In order not to injure the apple tree once again, it is worth initially inspecting the branches that are being liquidated. It is better to cut one large branch than several smaller ones. This is the peculiarity of pruning an apple tree in winter - minor injuries to the trunk can become fatal. Also, gardeners with many years of experience recommend not to leave hemp on the tree when cutting branches. This can lead to suppuration and illness of the individual.This can be avoided by pruning the apple tree in winter (its branches) along the inflow ring. If this option does not work due to the density of the branches, then first it is better to make a small stump with a hacksaw, and then cut it off at an angle from the other side. The main thing is to remove the spreading of the apple tree, giving it the opportunity to cultivate its development.

Practical advice

The sharper the better

When you are going to prune an apple tree for the winter, you must first prepare the tool. The degree of injury to the fruit tree depends on the sharpness of the pruner or scissors. The better the tool is sharpened, the less damage the trunk of the individual will receive. The same requirements apply to hacksaws used to cut large branches. Sharp teeth will do this job faster and better. Do not use tools with rusty, jagged blades. The guarantee that the individual will get sick, and maybe die, is one hundred percent.

Avoid infection

To avoid the possibility of infection with parasites not only of fruit trees, but also of other representatives of the flora in the garden, the branches left after cutting the apple tree for the winter must be burned. Wood ash, by the way, can be used to fertilize the soil in the garden and in the vegetable garden. In this case, the ash will not be contaminated with bacteria or parasites, since all of them were destroyed during heat treatment (burning).

Stimulation of fruiting

In order to improve the fruitfulness of the tree by pruning the apple tree for the winter, it is necessary to reduce the shoots of the main branches by one third. They grow by these few centimeters in about a year. This procedure will stimulate the development of new, stronger and more fruitful branches. Another way to increase the yield of fruit trees is to cut young shoots from the main branch to 5-6 buds, and remove some of them altogether. Old trees can still produce tasty and high-quality fruits. To do this, you need to remove the excess crown and form it with a bush, leaving the strongest and most productive branches. In addition, the bush form is recommended to be done on any fruit tree from the second or third year of growth. Not only is it convenient when harvesting, but it is also useful for the individual herself.

Where to begin

Start any pruning job with the most damaged, oldest and most neglected branches. They are the ones that harm your crop. Next, you need to move upward: eliminate unnecessary shoots and give the branches a bushy shape. The height of the trunk should be no more than one and a half average human height. Otherwise, harvesting will be problematic, and the fruits themselves will be frail and of poor quality.

Learning to cut an apple tree (video)

This video shows you how to properly prune an apple tree.