Anyone know about pruning an apple tree?

[Jenkeywoo]

We have a lovely big old tree - approx 12metres tall. Has been neglected for many a long year (previous owners) and also has a lot of apple sawflys. I had someone quote for sorting out the tree - he recommended cutting off 6ft all round to make it a tidier shape, said it had to be done now before the sap rises as if done later tree could die - but the tree has a few buds already so has the sap not already risen so to speak! He also said to block up the holes the sawflies are in with cement which sounds a bit mental to us. incidentally all for £160 which seems quite a good price but is this the right thing to do? It's a lovely old tree that produces ooodles of wormy crappy apples but we love it and would hate to see it go unloved.

You could get a second opinion or ask The Woodland Trust for advice.

tbh, I don't think your £160 bloke is right at all.

• Apple sawfly don't make holes in the tree, I thought they just burrowed into the apples and then lived on the ground when the apples fall off: read this

www.which.co.uk/files/application/pdf/ Apple%20Sawfly%20203-445-92640.pdf And I wouldn't block any holes with cement on a tree (although they used to in the past, it keeps wet in the tree and makes it rot)

• just chopping all the branches back to make a lollipop will cause lots of new twiggy growth at the cut ends which will look absolutely awful by about june and is certainly not the 'proper' way to do it

Have a look at this: (sorry I can't do links) and then find yourself someone properly qualified

www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1205/applepruning.asp

thankyou - tbh he did seem a bit dodgy, will check out someone more qualified.