Pruning apple trees

[davholla]

These are all 3 years and I would like to know the best way to prune them.

By <a target="_new" href="http://profile.imageshack.us/user/davholla">davholla</a> at 2008-01-13

The above is D'Arcy Spice M26

The below are M27 and Ashmead's Kernel and Pixie


By davholla at 2008-01-13

This is a family tree M26 Jupiter, Jester and Fiesta


By davholla at 2008-01-13

[davholla]

[jennym]

Depends how you want them to end up.
Theres a lot of info on the net, but you might find these clips useful - the first shows a neglected tree being tidied up: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-prune-apple-trees-between-autumn-and-spring
This one shows a trained tree being pruned http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-prune-trained-fruit-trees-during-summer
The chap doing it is head of horticulture at a local college,  the info is nice and clear and basic.

[davholla]

Depends how you want them to end up.

Good question.

I want them to a) give lots of fruit b) have a good shape.
Also the garden is small so I need to have some space between them !

[calendula]

winter is the time for main pruning - basic shaping in the tree's early life. But if you are doing fancy shapes then summer would be the time as you need to inhibit the shoot growth and the pruning is more radical

don't over prune else you'll be pruning out you fruiting spurs

[davholla]

don't over prune else you'll be pruning out you fruiting spurs

That is why I am asking advice !
I have never pruned before.

[jennym]

These images show fruiting buds, they will be on growth made in previous years and are fatter and more wrinkly than vegetative buds.
http://web1.msue.msu.edu/fruit/applgrw.htm

Have a look at the RHS basic advice - this link is relevant to newish trees: http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0906/pruningnewapples.asp
and this one established trees: http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1205/applepruning.asp

But the shape can be bush, or cordon or espalier - there are loads of ways you can train apple trees.  You need to decide this first before you start.

[davholla]

Thanks for the links.
I think I will go for a bush type shape.

[kt.]

A good thread here. Some good websites now added to my favourites. Thanks

[JimmyJames]

When I added an apple tree to a friends garden I found the following useful,  particularly the pruning page.

Link should go straight to the pruning bit:

http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_september_2d_apple.asp