Table of Contents
Best time to prune: The best time for pruning apple trees in Michigan is between December and March when the tree is dormant.
What month should I prune my apple tree?
Pruning should be carried out when the tree is dormant, between leaf fall and bud burst (usually between November and early March).
When should you prune fruit trees in Michigan?
The best time of year to do major amounts of pruning is when the trees are dormant (January to early April). In the summer, remove water sprouts or suckers from the base if needed. Avoid pruning after late July as it can predispose trees to winter injury or delay dormancy.
When can I cut apple tree branches?
Some say the best months to do pruning apple trees are between mid-October to December, but actually you can perform it even during the summertime. However, each month and season has an effect on the pruning process.
Can you prune apple trees anytime?
– You can prune an apple tree any time of the year without hurting it, but late winter, just before spring, is probably best. The worst of the cold weather is past, so you won’t be subjecting the fresh cuts to severe icing, but you’ll still be able to influence the tree’s spring growth.
Can I prune an apple tree in April?
Although apple tree trimming may be accomplished any time of the year, late winter to very early spring is most advisable (March and April), after the worst of the cold snaps to minimize possible injury due to frost. It is also a good time to prune diseased or damaged areas of the apple tree as they become visible.
How do you prune an apple tree in Michigan?
HOW TO PRUNE AN APPLE TREE Remove dead branches. Remove any dead or diseased branches. Remove the suckers from the branches and roots. Knee high let it fly. Crossing and Cramping. 45º or lower Branches at a 45º to 90º angle from the tree are ideal for supporting the weight of the fruit. A third is preferred.
What is the best time to prune most kinds of fruit trees?
When to Prune Fruit Trees The best time for pruning fruit trees is at planting and in subsequent years, in early spring before buds break and trees are still dormant. Pruning should be undertaken at planting time where you cut the new stem off 24 to 30 inches (61-76 cm.) from the ground and remove any side shoots.
How do you take care of an apple tree in Michigan?
Choose a sunny location that contains well-drained soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0 in which to grow your apples. Amend the soil with lime if the pH is below 6.5 or with peat moss for a soil with a pH above 7.0. Plant your Michigan apple trees in holes that measure twice the width of their root balls.
Can you cut the top off an apple tree?
Prune off the top of the newly planted fruit tree in late April. Cut it at between 20 and 30 inches above the ground. Trim back all other shoots and branches to 6 inches.
Should apple trees be pruned every year?
As a fruit tree matures and begins to bear fruit, it still should be cut back each year. Shoots growing upright can shade the center of the tree, which reduces fruiting. Those shoots can be removed either in summer when they are 4 to 6 inches long or in winter, when the tree is dormant, and they are longer.
What month is late winter?
When is Late Winter? Late winter is 4 to 6 weeks before spring thaw begins. This could be any time in January to May, depending on your climate. Use your average last frost date and count back.
What happens if you don’t prune apple trees?
During a high wind or a severe storm, dead or dying branches are easily ripped from the tree. When a tree isn’t pruned properly, the branches can grow too close to power lines or windows. If left unpruned, branches may cause damage to the side of your home or even break a window.
Is it OK to prune fruit trees in spring?
Spring is a good time to prune a large fruit tree if you want to make it more compact. A volunteer pruning one of the larger trees in Fennel Orchard. When you plant a larger tree, it’s harder to create the ideal shape for growing fruit.
How do I take care of my apple tree in the spring?
Start by removing all damaged and diseased branches. Also cut out watersprouts, which are rapidly growing upright branches that tend to clog up the center of the tree. Also remove suckers arising from the base of the trunk. Application of dormant oil is another early spring activity to consider when growing apples.
Can you Pollard an apple tree?
The key is to prune it a little each year. If you tackle a badly overgrown apple tree by pruning it very hard all in one go it will encourage a lot of new non-productive growth. Instead you will need to gradually get the tree back in shape over the course of a few years.
