Cut to Here?

Discussion in 'Trees' started by Irmemac, Feb 5, 2018.

  1. Irmemac

    Irmemac Total Gardener

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    Thanks for posting those great photos, @shiney. :dbgrtmb: I can see the open, goblet shape really clearly. Those are well cared for trees, and exactly what I would like to see with mine. Good advice and will definitely apply this. Hoping to make a start this weekend if we get reasonable weather :paladin:
     
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    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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      As you can see from the trees, they are very mature but good pruning keeps them healthier. Each tree takes about two hours (including getting the steps and tools out). As the trees are well kept and there's a lot of detail work in the pruning I use just secateurs and hand held loppers. You need to be up close to be able to see the buds.

      I would suggest that for your tree you first work on removing all the height you wish, then cut out the branches to get the open appearance. After that just see what else needs doing. So this year the tree is likely to produce lots of long thin whips as a reaction to all that cutting. Then you can start next year on cutting back to productive buds.
       
    • Irmemac

      Irmemac Total Gardener

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      Thank you @shiney. That sounds like a good plan of action, so we will start with height. That will clear a bit of the thick growth too, and make it easier to work a bit lower down to open up the tree. I will be delighted if we can get our apple tree to look as healthy as yours. Ours is at least 75 years old, so she is ready for bit of a spruce up!
       
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      • Sandy Ground

        Sandy Ground Total Gardener

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        @shiney excellent post, and absolutely correct. Regarding the first part quoted, they usually say that if a hat cant be thrown through an apple tree, there are too many branches.

        If I remember correctly, isnt there a difference between buds that will form new shoots, and buds that will later go on to form fruits?:dunno:
         
      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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        @Sandy Ground you're correct but that seemed to be too complicated. The tree will sort itself out once it has settled down after the first year. The apples should then return to being proper apples and not the tiny ones.
         
      • Irmemac

        Irmemac Total Gardener

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        Thanks @Sandy Ground, more good advice. Any particular kind of hat, e.g. Fedora or baseball? :roflol:

        @shiney - I didn't realise the fruit would get bigger again. That would be great - will send you an apple pie :love30:.
         
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        • Sandy Ground

          Sandy Ground Total Gardener

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          I will take advisement regarding that and return with an answer...:snorky:
           
        • shiney

          shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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          I'll expect you to deliver it in person. :dbgrtmb:
           
        • Sandy Ground

          Sandy Ground Total Gardener

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          If I can ever get the chance to get over to your open day, I will do. I might even lead some community singing as well. :whistle:
           
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          • Irmemac

            Irmemac Total Gardener

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            If I should ever be lucky enough to come to one of your open days, I will absolutely bring a homemade apple pie for you :love30:, with very grateful thanks.

            Poor husband, on the other hand, who looked at the height of the trees in your photos and then at the height of our own tree, could not be relied upon to deliver it quite as graciously....he is a very reluctant gardener!

            IMG_3331.JPG
             
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            • Sandy Ground

              Sandy Ground Total Gardener

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              @Irmemac according to my neighbour (that commercially grows the nicest apples you can imagine) it should be a flat cap. So you'll have to buy one for your poor husband! :heehee:

              I really did ask, by the way.
               
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              • Irmemac

                Irmemac Total Gardener

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                Thanks for checking, @Sandy Ground. Wouldn't want to get him the wrong kind!

                IMG_3334.JPG
                 
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                • Irmemac

                  Irmemac Total Gardener

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                  Well, I'm posting an update, and asking for a bit more advice! My poor husband took the height off the apple tree as advised. As you will see in the photo, he did eventually get the idea of a goblet shape, although not at the front, where he started. After I saw that I drew a picture on a piece of paper and things went more to plan :heehee:. About a third of the tree has been removed. The next job should be to thin out the small, tangled branches, however I seem to recall that no more than 10% of the tree should be removed at a time. So, should we leave as is, or thin out the small branches now? Thanks in advance for the benefit of your opinions.
                  IMG_3473.JPG
                   
                • noisette47

                  noisette47 Total Gardener

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                  Definitely take out the thinnest, wispiest growth. It'll only be more of a shock to the tree next year if they're left to get bigger. Cut right back flush with main branches...don't leave 'stubs' as these die off and can be an entry point for disease.
                   
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                  • Irmemac

                    Irmemac Total Gardener

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                    Thank you, @noisette47. That's good advice. Think I will be taking a turn up the ladder!
                     
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