Prune your own apple trees. With a few tip to follow, it's not as hard as you think!
Pruning your apple trees in the spring helps yield a larger harvest of apples in the fall.
Apple trees
Do you have apple trees? Then they need to be pruned annually. Hiring someone to do this task just doesn't make sense, when you can do it yourself.
My husband, Rod does all our pruning and prunes several apple trees every spring. It's time to learn how to prune apple trees.
Full Disclosure: Rod is not an arborist and does not have any formal training when it comes to pruning. He just has years of experience and results that work - that means, the apple trees survive and thrive!
The apple trees are loaded year after year! These are his tips and what works for him! Rod's famous words of wisdom -
"Don't worry too much about how it turns out... If you don't do it perfectly, it's okay. It's like a bad haircut. It will grow back!"
Just take it slow and step back to see how it's coming along! My advice, as a total novice - just don't take off too much! (I don't like bad haircuts!)
These trees are very mature apple trees. The "bones" of the tree are already there.
New trees still require pruning, but the process is just a bit different because you are forming the shape each year. Pruning on new trees is minimal. These tips are focusing on the mature tree.
Types of pruners to use
Rod uses two types of pruners - one long handled lopper and one small handheld bypass pruner. If you need to remove larger branches, you will need a handsaw.
Four things to keep in mind while pruning
- Keep branches growing out, not up. Cut off all vertical shoots.
- Cut off any damaged branches.
- Try not to let tree get too wide. Stand back and look at the branches. If they are extending out too far, give them a trim.
- Anticipate spacing for fruit and branches. Take a look at each cluster. If the cluster is too tight, remove one of the small branches.
Remove all shoots that are growing straight up.
Trim branches near the base of the branch.
Remove any damaged branches. The branch above was snapped off during the winter time.
Remove any branches that will become too crowded or too wide. The picture below shows a branch where the apples will be growing. It can have up to 3 or 4 apples. This branch has enough space for the apples - no need to prune here.
Safety first! A ladder is the safest way to prune the trees. Rod likes to get up into the trees to prune, but always be safe.
The finished trees are flatter on the top with the branches extending out to the side.
What to do with apples
We get a huge harvest of apples every year. Some recipes we make are Apple Pie Filling, Apple Butter, Cocoa Apple Cake, Apple Fritters and we also press the apples into Cider.
More homesteading info
Barb says
My apples have black worm holes. Best thing to use on and when so we can have apples we can eat
Kathy says
Hi Barb,
I'm afraid I don't know about what to do for worms.
Good luck,
Kathy
David @ Spiced says
I always get jealous when I see your apple trees, Kathy! We planted a couple apple trees in our old house, and we diligently pruned them each year and watched them grow...then we moved. (I think the new owner might have actually chopped 'em down...the horror!) We didn't plant any new ones at this house purely because of how long they take to mature. I'll just have to live vicariously through you instead! 🙂
Kathy says
Apple trees do take a long time to mature and really start to produce. Some of these trees are over 100 years old! You might not have trees right now, I do seem to recall you have a local orchard you usually visit during harvest time - almost as good as having your own!
Jen says
I love this. We just purchased a house that has about a dozen apple trees n about 6 pear trees and I had no idea what to do with them. This definitely will help me trim them back. Thanks
Kathy says
Lucky you to get that many trees! It's work pruning them now, but will be so great in the all when you get a great harvest of apples and pears!
Sarah Anderson says
What is the issue with vertical branches? I don't think I have seen a tree with them before unless you count the trunk. I have read before that a tree can get multiple trunks if your not careful, and that you should prevent that because it can kill the tree. Is that the issue you are trying to prevent?
Kathy says
The only problem with vertical branches is the tree becomes too large and difficult to pick the fruit. Pruning helps control the shape of the tree.
mira says
This is so helpful! Love it! Saving for when I need it!
Kathy says
Thanks, Mira!
karrie @ Tasty Ever After says
I don't have apple trees but this was a fascinating post Kathy! I didn't know what when into or how to prune apple trees but I do now 🙂 You guys are so self-sufficient it makes me wish I was that way too.
Kathy says
You never know when you might need to know how to prune an apple tree!
Amanda says
This is such a great post. My favorite part of the fall is going to the orchard and I think it would be great to have an apple tree someday. So I definitely have to remember this!
Kathy says
I love fresh picked apples and all the things you can do with apples!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I do not have any apple trees, but we have been talking about planting a few new trees in our back yard. And this post is making me want to plant an apple tree, stat!! Thanks for all the tips, because now I will know what to do to maintain the tree should we ever plant it!! Cheers, dear!
Kathy says
It's the perfect time of year to plant a tree!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Yes, our backyard is lined with apple trees and we have never pruned them! Oh my! It looks like we'll have our work cut out for us but I am excited to get back there and get cutting! I love this post! Thank you! And BTW, it was very brave of you to get up there for pictures!
Kathy says
Time to start pruning those trees! Just take one at a time. Yours trees will be much happier! 🙂
Dawn at Girl Heart Food says
Love the tips, Kathy! We have an apple tree, though it's only small yet. We haven't yielded a lot of apples from it yet, but looking forward to when we get enough to make a pie right from our very own apples 🙂
Kathy says
There's nothing better than getting fruit right off your own tree!
David @ Spiced says
Great tips, Kathy! We planted a couple apple trees in our yard when we first moved in. We've been picking the buds for a few years now in order to encourage the trees to grow bigger...but now it's time to let those buds go. And did I read that right? A moose in your orchard? I need to come spend a day in your yard! Seeing a moose is most def on my bucket list! 🙂
Kathy says
Yep...a moose! They are majestic and amazing to watch, but they can create havoc in your orchard in a really short time. Luckily they don't come onto our property too often.
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
What an interesting post, Kathy. We sure need to prune apple trees. Love the brautiful photos too!
Kathy says
The trees just require attention a few times a year...otherwise, they are pretty easy to grow!
geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
I love these kinds of posts, Kathy. I'm currently working on reviving a lemon tree on my property. It produces but needs some love. Gave it a good pruning this year and fertilizing at the correct time of year and it's looking better already.
Kathy says
I wish I had a lemon tree! It would never survive here though. Fruit trees always seem like they don't need much care, but they do need a little TLC a few times a year. Hope your lemon tree has a bumper crop this year!
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says
Hi Kathy! What an informative post and yes, we need to prune our apple trees. We have 2 gorgeous trees, sadly, I made a HUGE mistake by cutting one down a couple of years ago to make way for a clothsline and still regret it! Fun pics!!!
Kathleen Rupff says
Great, interesting post, Kathy, and great pics... Thanks!!
Kathy says
Thanks! It's one of those tasks that has to get done every spring.