Pruning Apple Trees
When is the best time to prune apple trees?
Late winter or early spring is a great time to prune apples. The plants will soon begin to grow so the wounds close quickly reducing the risk of insect and disease. In addition the worst of winter weather has passed, we hope, so you can correct any winter damage while doing structural pruning. Severely overgrown apples should be pruned over several seasons. Heavily pruned trees often produce an abundance of growth so you end up with even more pruning to do the following year. Start by pruning damaged, diseased or dead branches. Remove crossing and rubbing branches that create wounds that make perfect entryways for insects and disease. Then remove water sprouts (shoots that grow straight up from the branches). Your goal is to have well spaced branches that spiral up the trunk of the tree. This allows light penetration for flower and fruit production.
Related
Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars
April 17, 2024
Landscaping for Birds:
A Gardener’s Perspective
Glendale, WI
April 18, 2024
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Golden Rondelle Theater, Racine, WI
Register now
April 20, 2024
Pruning Hydrangeas and Other Shrubs
Pasquesi Home & Gardens, Lake Bluff, IL
April 27, 2024
Ridges & Rivers Book Festival
Viroqua, WI
April 28, 2024
Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI
May 1, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
Ornamental Fruits and Vegetables
Register now
May 4, 2024
Garden U 2024
New Richmond, WI
Register now
May 9, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
How to Plant Your Rain Garden
Register now
May 11, 2024
Ask The Plant Doctor Q & A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI
May 12, 2024
Ask The Plant Doctor Q & A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI
May 18, 2024
Ask The Plant Doctor Q & A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI
June 1, 2024
Selecting, Planting, Pruning and Caring for Hydrangeas
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI
June 5, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
Under-Appreciated Pollinators
Register now
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More