I have a few small fruit trees on the patio. When should I prune them? Patio plum Cordon Pear tree Brown turkey fig Dual patio Apple tree Espalier and cordon Apple trees
Hello K, I have been pruning my fruit trees and bushes for twenty years...but I do not grow trees in containers, so I do not know if there is a different ideology for this situation. I will tell you that my pruning technique is definitely not mainstream. I re-read the common basics each year and then merrily pick up the sécateurs and do my own thing....but based upon conventional knowledge. The goal for the pruned tree is to develop a "bowl-like" shape. My Bride smilingly says that one ought to be able to toss one's hat through the centre. The reason for this is to pick easily (without a ladder) and allow easy aeration. As I said above--my pruning technique is not mainstream in most ways. Conventional wisdom dictates that each tree sort has it's own set of rules for correct pruning. To a degree that is true, but I am a headstrong bloke, and prefer my own way of doing thing based upon experience. Now then, I think that you can probably safely prune your trees now if you get a wriggle on. You don't want to wait too long. If the new buds begin to swell and even become loose. Then it is too late and the pruning cuts will allow sap to stream from them. You do not want this. I have already pruned my plum and apple trees...long ago actually. The thing with pruning is that you nevert want to do it when rain is forecast. Sickness and rotting can result. When you prune you need to first clean up your tree by clipping off dead wood, next you remove branches great and small that you do not want and finally...you prune off at least a third of the length of the branches that you have left. Keep an eye on buds so that you prune the branch where a growth bud is pointing laterally or downwards because vertical branches typically do not bear fruit. Vertical waterloten --water sprouts, I remove at anytime during the season. You can probably tell that the more I write, the more apparent it becomes that pruning is an art apart... one that is learned through time and practice, sometimes involving mistakes. I shall end this now, you can think about it and perhaps read other opinions. We can talk again if you like. Addendum: I do not know anything at all about pruning figs. Prunes do not need a great deal of pruning--just the waterloten. Apples and pears need pruning each summer to stimulate the fformation of fruit buds. cut back new growth to three buds. Good luck.
Thank you very much @Sjoerd . I’ve just checked the weather forecast for where we live and a small amount of snow is due this month and next. Am I therefore, better just replacing the sticky bands this month and perhaps waiting until maybe March before I prune?
@Kazzawazza I found this link for snow falls with fruit trees. http://simplytreesut.blogspot.com/2016/01/protecting-fruit-trees-from-heavy-snow.html
Yes, this tree does do well and the apples are normal size. This is a patio tree so it’s fine to be kept in a big pot. I have James Grieve on Elstar http://www.coronet.ie/coronet-miniature-trees-family.php
Those two types are popular over here as well. We do not have a great cider tradition in my country, as they do in Britain, but we have other uses.
mart I think it's down to wear people live regarding fruit tree's although I've never had one myself.
I plan on pruning my peach and plum trees in 1-2 weeks. It will be their first haircut in almost 4 years! Also they will be fertilized in 4-6 weeks to prepare for spring.
