Instructions for pruning an apple tree in summer for beginner gardeners

Experienced gardeners pay attention to the apple tree in any season. In order for a tree to bear a large harvest, it needs summer pruning. Without it, the apple tree runs wild, and the fruits gradually lose their quality, since the large thickening prevents ventilation and the penetration of sunlight into the depths of the crown. Whether it is possible to prune a tree in the summer and how to do it correctly, you will learn from the article.

Is it possible to prune an apple tree in July

It has long been believed that pruning cannot be done in summer, but this is not the case. At this time, it is easy to determine which shoots are not bearing fruit.... Correct branch removal stimulates the development of new buds and prevents the tree from overgrowing.

Crown formation in summer allows you to ensure that all fruits are evenly illuminated by the sun and have enough airand. This directly affects their size and taste. Removing fast-growing branches that do not have apple trees will provide more nutrients to the fruit.

Reference. Even old trees respond well to rejuvenating summer pruning.

The essence of the work is to remove all unnecessary processes, branches and even buds... They take up nutrients during development. If thinning is performed, nutrition is redirected to fruits.

Is it obligatory

Pruning the apple tree in summer is optional, but desirable, especially if unnecessary branches were not deleted in spring or in the fall. The procedure is of a sanitary and preventive nature and helps to improve the quality of the crop.

When to prune an apple tree in summer

It is best to cut branches after the end of the growing season.... If done earlier, new shoots will begin to grow, which will reduce the size of the fruit.

Early ripe apple varieties are pruned at the end of June... At this time, all large shoots that have remained from the fall are removed. Large branches are cut by 1 m so that more nutrients are supplied to the fruits.

Late-ripening varieties are pruned at the end of summer.... After removing all large branches, they also get rid of young non-fruiting shoots.

Auspicious days

Experts do not recommend performing the procedure on a rainy or hot day.... In the first case, the rain will wash away the protective layer applied to the cut; in the second, trees will not recover well after the procedure.

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Types of trimming

There are these types of trimming:

1. On the ring. An annular bead is found on a branch and a cut is made obliquely above this place. There are many regenerating cells here, so the wound will heal quickly.
2. The kidney. The procedure is carried out if partial removal of the upper part of the shoots is required. For thinning, a bud is left, which is located in the center and looks at the outer part of the crown.
3. Phased. Carried out when removing a large branch. If you cut it off right away, there is a chance of severe damage to the tree. First, an incision is made in the bottom half of the thickness near the barrel ring. The same is done a little higher on the upper side. Cut a branch between two cuts at an angle.

How to prune a tree correctly

Before performing work, the tree is carefully inspected, thickening, non-fruiting and damaged branches are identified... During pruning, the rule of the golden mean is followed. If a large number of branches are removed, the yield will be greatly reduced; if pruning is insufficient, the desired result will not be achieved.

Required materials and tools

The main tool is the secateurs... It is used to remove shoots up to 2 cm thick. If the branches are thick, a delimber is used, since it is much stronger. The lopper differs from the pruner in its longer handles. For too thick branches, use garden saws.

Before starting work, the instrument is washed and treated with any antiseptic.

Pruning schemes

There are several pruning schemes:

1. Restorative. They clean up diseased and crooked branches.
2. Anti-aging. Delete old branches.
3. Formative. They create a crown of strong shoots that bear fruit well.
4. Regulatory. This pruning is done to reduce overgrowth and thickening.

Trimming is subdivided by intensity level:

• pinching - to slow down the growth of an annual seedling;
• weak - remove a quarter of each branch to stimulate the growth of fresh shoots;
• medium - carried out for adult apple trees, while removing a third of the shoots;
• strong - thinning the crown by cutting off most of the branches.

Step-by-step instruction

Apple pruning in summer is performed according to the following algorithm:

1. The trunk (central branch) is shortened by about 1.5 m.
2. Remove all shoots that grow inside the crown. These branches shade the apple tree and become a breeding ground for pests and various diseases. As a result, the tree gets the shape of a bowl.
3. Cut off lateral skeletal branches. Their maximum length is 2.5 m.
4. All shoots growing inside the crown are removed.

Features of pruning depending on the type of tree

In addition to the usual varieties, the site often dwarf and columnar apple trees are planted. Their summer pruning is done like this:

1. Only the side branches are removed, and the central conductor is not touched.
2. Cut so that 3-4 eyes remain. As a result, 3-4 strong layers will grow from them.
3. On adult apple trees, branches that were actively bearing fruit in the previous season are removed.

Depending on the age of the apple tree

For old apple trees in the summer, they carry out anti-aging pruning.... Especially in cases where the fruits are small and tasteless, and the length of new shoots does not exceed 30 cm.

They remove vertically growing branches with an angle of departure less than 45 °, broken and crossed. The remaining processes are shortened by 50%. This procedure is carried out every 3 years.

On mature trees, fattening shoots are removed and the ends of all other branches are removed.... The green shoots are cut off before they become stiff. The cut is made at the base. This prevents the formation of new growth branches, which will take food from the fruit.

When pruning young apple trees in summer, it is important to monitor the internal illumination of the tree.... Extra shoots that shade the crown are removed, leaving fruiting branches.

Depending on the region of cultivation

The timing of pruning is selected taking into account climatic features and the specification of the variety:

1. Early maturing varieties and trees growing in temperate climates are pruned at the end of June. At the same time, rejuvenation and thinning of old apple trees, dwarf and columnar varieties are carried out.
2. Late-ripening varieties and apple trees grown in the Urals and Siberia are pruned in mid-August.
3. In the southern regions, apple trees are pruned in June or August.

Note! If in doubt, pruning in August is the best option, regardless of variety and region.

Further care of the plant

After the end of the formation, the sections are carefully processed with garden varnish... If it is not possible to make this tool, use copper sulfate or oil paint. This prevents the juice from flowing out. So open wounds will quickly heal and the tree will heal.

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Experienced gardening tips

If you follow the general recommendations, the pruning process will not be difficult.

Helpful advice from experienced gardeners:

1. Pruning is carried out only on a suitable day. It shouldn't be hot or rainy.
2. Use only sharp instruments. So the tree is less injured.
3. Removing young shoots does not harm the apple tree, but prevents the formation of a dense crown.
4. Large branches are cut several times. At one time, no more than 1/3 of the length is removed.
5. Competing shoots must be cut off.
6. Each cut is treated with garden varnish.

Conclusion

Summer pruning helps the tree to produce rich crops. It is important to take into account the timing that is due to the climate of the region and the apple variety. Particular attention is paid to the pruning scheme, depending on the age of the tree.