Pruning Apple Trees for Better Fruit

Apple trees need light to ripen fruit and air to dry leaves. Left unpruned, they become dense, produce smaller crops and suffer more disease.

When to prune

Prune in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant, avoiding hard frost. Summer pruning can be used to control vigour and shape trained trees.

The framework

Aim for an open goblet shape on a freestanding tree: a short clear trunk, three to five main branches spaced around it, and an open centre. Remove branches that crowd the middle or cross each other.

Step by step

1. Remove dead, damaged and diseased wood.
2. Remove crossing and rubbing branches.
3. Cut out vigorous upright shoots that crowd the centre.
4. Shorten the previous year's growth on main branches to encourage fruiting spurs.
5. Step back and check the shape before making more cuts.

Spurs and tips

Some varieties fruit on short spurs on older wood; others fruit at the tips of young shoots. Know which type you have, because pruning differs. Spur-bearing trees benefit from shortening new growth; tip-bearing trees should have less of it removed.

Avoid common errors

Do not remove more than a quarter of the canopy in one year. Do not leave stubs. Do not prune in wet weather if disease is present. Clean tools between trees.