When do you prune or trim apple trees?

[yoteslayer]

Is now too early?

 

[yoderjac]

I don't prune mine but you want to prune, prune when they are dormant. In my (zone 7a) area anytime they are dormant is fine for typical pruning. For guys up north, I don't know if severe cold has an impact on timing. Around here, one would be fine anytime they are dormant before bud swell in the spring.

 

[Apple Junkie]

After the leaves are off for winter, I prune when I can find the time. Between now and the end of March is when I try to get any pruning I am going to do done. I'm in zone 5b, NY State. I think you will be fine if you're pruning now.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I prune early to mid-March usually, after the greatest danger of really cold weather has passed. Trying to avoid winter injury.

 

[Diesel5610]

I usually start in late February and finish up in early March. We have enough trees spread across a few properties and it takes a few work days to get it all done. I find it a relaxing activity and like having it spread out a bit. Where are you located?

 

[H20fwler]

I do the same as Diesel, when I was a kid doing it with my Dad he always liked doing it in late March right before bud break.

 

[yoteslayer]

Located in central mo diesel. Thanks for everyones advice

 

[OhioJeremy]

My rule of thumb in my area (6a) is to prune when the bad winter weather is behind us. Typically end of Feb thru Mid March is the best time. By the end of march I'm fertilizing and getting ready for bud break.

 

[White Birch Farm]

I prune young small trees, where I am primarily working on forming a sound base for future growth, in the late winter. Most other pruning on larger, more mature trees I usually do in late summer. Invariably those are trees that require corrective pruning and removal of large dead or crossing limbs. Pruning in summer on large trees has less relative impact on the future growth of the tree and also reduces the likelyhood of the tree throwing large amounts of water sprouts the following year in response to the pruning.

 

[JFK52]

I prune in the winter when I can make it out on my land. The snow depth in Central WI usually precludes that until March when it starts to recede. I have mature apple trees that are at least 40 to 50 years old. I have also pruned them in early December when I was done gun hunting and there was no snow on the ground that allowed me access to all places on my land where the apple trees are located. I make sure to fertilize all my apple trees every spring. I have not seen and adverse affects from winter pruning on my mature trees.

 

[CrazyEd]

After the coldest part of winter. For me, usually end of feb > early march, depending on when I can make it to the farm.

 

[Natty Bumppo]

I prune early to mid-March usually, after the greatest danger of really cold weather has passed. Trying to avoid winter injury.

I do exactly the same. Think I also recall learning something about the fact that pruning later in winter closer to green up prevents as little rot from setting in as possible before the tree has time to begin to heal over.

 

[buckvelvet]

I enjoy doing it when the wind doesn't freeze your soul. :)

 

[cavey]

I prune when I can, when I have a pruner in hand or when I see something I do not like...

Yes the bulk of it I try to do when the wood is dormant and I do not have to wade through deep snow,,,, But my trees are not my full time job and I have too much other stuff going on to even pretend or tell anyone here that thee only time to prune is a 2 week window of prime dormant time in mid winter. Like above mentioned Dec/post deer hunting is a good time as is early march. However, realistically I prune whenever I can find the time and the need is present. In the active growing season I may not make aggressive cuts but I will walk around and nip off smaller branches on younger trees if I see something I dont like and I will do that anytime of the year.

As for percentage 25-40% is the range I have been shooting for. I let too many of my earlier trees go without good pruning and shaping practices and I am paying for it now.

Playing catch up is a bigger pain then just learning to be more aggressive with younger trees and getting them "right" in the beginning... and good luck with figuring out what is right - so many different trains of thought on working your trees. I should have learned how to prune fruit trees long before planting them. The only good advise I can give is do not be afraid to cut on your trees - and there are limits, best times, and better methods but 90% of us do not even come close to pruning our trees enough. That being said also learn non pruning methods like limb spreading and methods to pull down your limbs to have better crotch angles. Those tricks will pay off for as long as your tree is alive.

 

[j-bird]

I'm with the rest of the group....I prune when I find a nice day late winter, or real early spring.

 

[Natureboy]

I usually wait until mid to late March to coordinate pruning with the maple sap run. I try to schedule tree pruning with a warming spell, hopefully after most of the deeper snow has melted. I tap a couple of dozen maple trees then spend the remainder of the day on the apple trees. It will be a several day to week event between pruning apple trees and tending to sap collection.

 

[PoorSand]

My rule of thumb is to wait until the snow isn't above my belt buckle anymore. 8-11" more on its way tonight!

 

[Northbound]

My rule of thumb is to wait until the snow isn't above my belt buckle anymore. 8-11" more on its way tonight!

Although snow shoes would allow reaching more without a step ladder

 

[NE PA QDM]

Although snow shoes would allow reaching more without a step ladder

Just don’t try climbing the ladder w snowshoes on.
Don’t ask me how I know not to do that

 

[yoderjac]

Just don’t try climbing the ladder w snowshoes on.
Don’t ask me how I know not to do that

That might be the only warning that I haven't seen printed on a ladder!