The correct way to prune apple trees in summer

Summer pruning is essential to apple tree management, as it helps regulate tree structure, promote light and ventilation, and improve fruit quality and yield. Let’s learn the correct method of pruning apple trees in summer.

1. Thinning branches

Remove branches within 20 cm of the main trunk to improve ventilation and light. Appropriately thin out the overgrown branches on the back of the main branches and maintain a distance of 30-40 cm to promote balanced growth of branches. Remove excessive nutrient branches, but retain branches in bare areas and near large branch groups to facilitate branch group cultivation and renewal. Remove the branches that sprout around the cuts and scars, but keep 1-2 branches on the large scars for bridging. Timely remove the vigorous branches that sprout from the middle and back parts after pulling the branches. For multiple extension branches on the outer periphery of the crown, keep one strong branch as the lead and remove the rest.

2. Circumcision (stripping)

Ring cutting (peeling) technology is widely used in apple production, but care should be taken to avoid excessive use, so as not to weaken the tree and reduce the quality of the fruit. Ring cutting (peeling) is suitable for young trees and varieties that are difficult to flower. The best time is before the spring shoots stop growing and until the critical period of flower bud differentiation, which is from late May to early June.

3. Pull branches

Branch pulling is a key measure of summer pruning, especially effective for young trees that have not yet produced fruit. Branch pulling can be done during the growing season, preferably at noon on a sunny day. Be careful to soften the branches to prevent splitting. The angle of the main branches of young trees is pulled to 90°, and the auxiliary branches to 105-120°, following the method of "one push, two swings, three presses, and four positioning".

4. Picking

Pinching should be done before flower bud differentiation, and different methods should be used for different types of branches. For branches below 15 cm, pinch off the top; for branches between 15-30 cm, pinch off every 5-6 buds; for vigorous branches over 30 cm, pinch off the base after the branches have softened.

5. Twist the tip

Twisting the shoots is done from late May to mid-June. Hold the base of the shoot and twist it 90 degrees from outside to inside. Note that this should be done when the branches are semi-lignified. Do not twist the new shoots when they stop growing. Use appropriate amounts of force.

6. Soften the sticks

Take the branches in sections, 2-4 sections depending on the length of the branch, with a distance of 20 cm between each section, until the upright branches are horizontal or drooping. Remove branches at different times, and lightly fold them again about 10 days after they are about to heal to promote flower bud differentiation. The branches should be removed on a sunny afternoon before the flower buds differentiate. This will only damage the woody part but not the bark. Repeat 2-3 times.

In summary, scientific summer pruning techniques can effectively manage the growth of apple trees, optimize the tree structure, promote healthy growth, and improve fruit yield and quality.