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Apple tree pruning help please

3 replies

NorthFacingGardener · 18/04/2026 21:19

Our new house has an apple tree, approx 10 years old. Over winter I cut off one low branch and reduced the tallest branches by 10%

There is another large branch I would like to remove… if I do it in spring, will it cause watershoots as I’ve already pruned in winter?

I’m not worried about reducing vigour or fruiting as it’s a cooking apple and I don’t really want many apples anyway.

OP posts:
BurntBroccoli · 18/04/2026 21:43

It’s best to aim for a goblet shape with apple trees to allow plenty of light for fruit ripening. So keep the lower horizontal branches and trim the shoots on the inside.

The 10% off the crown is about right.

NorthFacingGardener · 18/04/2026 21:53

This branch is not horizontal, it’s very upright and close to rubbing against another branch. It needs to go - my question is can I do it in spring or do I really need to wait until next winter?

OP posts:
Geneticsbunny · 19/04/2026 10:54

Dont so it now. Sap is rising and it could kill the tree if you are unlucky. I would wait till autumn.

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