I can't quite believe I've had these trees in 10 years. Not all of them have made it, not all of them have grown that well in this shady little corner of our plot, but some have done brilliantly.
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I've only took photos of a few. This one I was going to graft over as it hadn't cropped, but last year gave us great apples for a change!
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always a balancing act of how much to take off. This one still needs more, but it can wait until next year otherwise it'll probably throw up lots of water shoots.
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| A few of the larger bits pruned off. |
The idea is for a goblet tree, and to try to stop the growth going too skyward. Also to trim any damaged or diseased wood, and any that will get in the way when I scythe the field.
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This second one is hard to tell. In truth I don't think I have taken enough off this one, but there was a lot of crossing branches on the inside.
So the last few days (I wrote this last week) I have pruned all the apple trees here. I now need to find the time to go and do mum and dads orchard, those trees are getting on for over 20 years old!
Who else has been pruning fruit trees?
I admire you in doing this Kev. The idea of pruning is always rather concerning to me, because I worry I will take too much off. That said, my father's walnut and apple tree now fall to me, so I will need to learn.
ReplyDeleteThey grow back so quickly. I'm sure over the years I've made many mistakes, but I do two small orchards (here and my parents) and both are cropping heavily with good fruit most years. Always opt for the saw over the shears is my advice!
DeleteI am very interested in this. our house is situated where there used to be an orchard for the manor house. They cut them down. The few that were left were cut down buy the second owner in the late 1960's. I have just bought 2 cherry trees, a victoria plum and 1 apple tree as it was the only one that looked like it may survive as they were all bare roots and they looked quite battered. I will buy some more when I see them. What are you thoughts on an Empire apple. I love how red they are, but when you go to buy them here they have come from New Zealand and that seems a bit much travel for an apple doesnt it! Where would you suggest I look for them? I have seen them for £40 is this too much for a 5ft bare root do you think?
ReplyDeleteI've not tried an Empire apple, I'll look out next time I'm in the shops. Often ones that grow well abroad don't do the same here. That said I never really liked gala apples from the shops but fresh off the tree they're amazing! £40 does sound expensive unless postage is included. I know whne I sold some apple trees that the cost of shipping was normally quite big as such big trees! The supermarket trees normally have some common varieties at good value, but for the more unusual theres some great nurseries out there. I like frank P mathews (very close to mum and dad) and some others like keepers nursery, adams apples who have supplied very good trees. There is also the agroforestry research trust which has unusual edible trees, I could spend a fortune with them!
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