Heavy pruning cannot be done in one season: the tree will become stressed and may die. It is better to extend rejuvenation over 2–3 years. The best time is early spring or late autumn, after leaf fall, but before frost. Experienced gardener Veronica Polivkina spoke about how to do this correctly in the Zen channel “Vegetable Garden with Veronica Polivkina” (16+).
Carefully inspect the apple tree. Pay attention to dry, diseased branches, shoots growing inside the crown, too long and branches hanging down.
Remove dry and diseased branches
- Use pruning shears or a saw to cut out all the dry parts.
- Try to make cuts without stumps.
- Cover large wounds with garden varnish or clay with ash.
Thin out the crown
- Remove shoots growing inward.
- Leave the strongest ones, with an angle of 45–60°.
- Make sure that the crown is “seen through” by the sun.
Shorten skeletal branches
- Old long branches hardly bear fruit; they need to be shortened.
- This will cause new shoots to grow.
- Shorten to a side branch that grows outward.
In one season, remove no more than 1/3 of the entire crown. The rest is for next year. This way the tree will rejuvenate without loss. When working in the garden, use only sharp and clean tools. In the spring, feed the apple tree with compost or infusion of ash. This will help the tree recover faster.
After pruning, do not leave tops (fatty shoots) – remove excess ones in the summer. In a couple of years, the tree will again produce large, sweet apples and will delight you with the harvest for a long time.
