A licensed arborist, John Sulzbach of Killingworth, CT, owns and operates tree care company Proper Tree. In this role, John Sulzbach of Killingworth, CT, draws on an in-depth knowledge of trees' pruning needs.
A popular choice for home gardens and orchards alike, apple trees thrive with proper pruning. When the tree is young, pruning helps the tree to develop a strong frame that supports future growth. Pruning at this stage also forms the shape of the tree and determines whether or not it will have a leading branch. As the tree matures, continuing pruning maintains the shape of the tree and keeps it healthy.
Pruning efforts should remove all diseased or broken branches, as well as any branches that grow toward the center of the tree, as any of these can harm the overall structure. Pruners should also cut away all crossing limbs, which can rub on other branches and harm fruit growth.
In general, growers should take care to remove no more than 50 percent of the prior year's growth, as blossoms and apples come from older wood. Suckers, which grow up from the root, are important to remove at any time, as they drain the resources from the tree. However, any other pruning should take place after or before the tree's active growing season.
