When is the best time to prune apple trees in winter (is it better to prune apple trees in winter or spring)

Is it better to prune apple trees early or late in winter?

Generally speaking, the best time to prune apple trees is from the time the leaves fall in autumn to the beginning of spring. The best time to prune apple trees is in late autumn or early winter or early spring.

As to whether it is better to prune early or late, it depends on a comprehensive consideration of factors such as the local geographical environment, fruit tree variety, tree age, tree vigor, slope surface, etc.

1. Early pruning

Generally speaking, apples mature in autumn. After the fruit is picked and the leaves fall, it is already late autumn. At this time, the sap flow slows down, and the apple trees gradually enter a dormant state, and people begin to prune them in winter.

When pruning, you can decide whether to prune early based on the local climate, fruit tree variety, tree age, tree vigor, etc. For those early-maturing, older trees, and those with better growth, early pruning can be considered appropriate.

Because this type of apple tree has a strong wound healing ability, it is not easily attacked by freezing weather and causes less damage to the tree.

1. Advantages

(1) More thorough disease and insect prevention effects

The primary purpose of apple tree pruning is to prevent diseases and insects. It must go through the following procedures: cleaning up dry and weak branches, thinning out dense and overlapping branches, reducing strong and vigorous branches, scraping off diseased spots and old bark, cleaning the garden, whitewashing, and disinfecting.

The whole operation plays an important and positive role in preventing diseases and insects. In addition, after early pruning in winter, the plants have to go through deep plowing, fertilization, freezing and other processes. Therefore, the sterilization and insecticide will be more thorough, and the hidden dangers of diseases and insects in the next year will be much less.

(2) Better for tree recovery and growth

The earlier the apple trees are pruned after their leaves fall, the better it will be for the tree's recovery and growth.

Because the sap is still flowing, the temperature is suitable for wound healing and recovery, and it is not easy to suffer from frost damage, so the tree will naturally grow better in the next spring.

(4) More adequate nutrient reserves

Early pruning of apple trees is also beneficial for nutrient storage.

When apple leaves fall in large numbers, it means that the sap flow has slowed down and the plant has begun to enter a dormant state.

In late autumn and early winter, it is advisable to prune them again, which is not only beneficial for disease and insect prevention and dwarfing, but also can reduce unnecessary nutrient consumption and store more nutrients for the next year.

(4) More conducive to tree shaping

Winter pruning includes short cutting, reduction, thinning, pulling branches, slow release, etc. They can not only adjust the balance of the tree and enhance the tree's vigor, but also are very beneficial to the creation of tree shape.

For example, pulling branches and slowly releasing them is a long and gradual process. If you choose to prune early, it will undoubtedly be very beneficial for shaping the tree.

2. Disadvantages

Early pruning in winter has both advantages and disadvantages. For example, if the water is lost too early and the weather is dry and cold, it is easy to cause dry piles; or if the freezing weather is early, the affected area will crack, which will inevitably affect the tree's vigor.

2. Late pruning

Generally speaking, for areas where freezing weather comes early, varieties whose fruits are picked late, and apple trees that are younger and weaker in vigor, late pruning, that is, pruning in late winter or early spring, is the best option.

Because the temperature warms up during this period, the sap gradually flows, which is very beneficial to the healing of the damaged area and causes less damage to the tree.

1. Advantages

(1) Wound healing is faster

In late winter and early spring, the temperature begins to rise slowly, not only the rhizomes begin to relax, but also the sap begins to flow. If you choose to prune at this time, it is very conducive to the formation of healing tissue and promote the healing of the wound. Therefore, pruning in late winter and early spring will cause the least damage to the tree.

(2) Avoid dry pile

Choose late pruning in winter, that is, pruning in late winter or early spring, which can effectively avoid dry piles.

Because the sap flows more frequently at this time, the wound can get timely supply of water and nutrients, the affected area heals faster, and the problem of water loss is greatly reduced. It not only avoids drying up, but also promotes hair growth.

(3) Not susceptible to frost damage

Apples that are pruned late are less likely to be harmed by freezing weather.

In late winter and early spring, the severe cold is gradually fading away, the temperature is rising day by day, the freezing weather is becoming less and less, and the chance of the affected area suffering from frost damage is also much less. Even if it occasionally invades, it only needs to be properly shielded from the cold.

(4) Stronger branching ability

Early spring is the season when everything starts to sprout. Pruning apple trees in late winter or early spring not only helps wounds heal faster, but also promotes branch growth and strengthens the tree.

2. Disadvantages

Late pruning of apple trees has more advantages than disadvantages, but it also has its disadvantages. Extensive pruning can easily lead to excessive sap loss and weaken the tree; for strong growth, it can easily cause the branches to sprout too strongly and the crown to close.

In short, whether it is early or late winter pruning of apple trees, there are pros and cons, and neither is perfect.