Apple Tree with Co-dominant Leaders

[meyerske]

Is having a 3 year old apple tree with co-dominant leaders a viable option, or do I just bite the bullet and cut one of them off? It will literally take off half of the tree.

 

[chickenlittle]

I would cut one off.

 

[rocksnstumps]

I agree, that one doesn't look so good for future heavy fruit loads. For small crab apple types probably not as much a concern. Just about all my wild apple trees have multiple stems and junk but they do tend to a little more of a U shape versus what that one is i.e. V shape

 

[H20fwler]

That sucks, shame it wasn't cut off two years ago! I would bite the bullet on that one snip off the most curved and give it some love.

 

[John-W-WI]

I agree. Save the best one and remove the other. Sucks, but 5 years from now you will forget you ever had to do it.

-John

 

[Neahawg]

Yeah one is going to break off in the future anyway and probably be more damaging.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Last year I cut off a forked leader on an up & coming Enterprise tree. It took off a good portion of the tree, but I'm now glad I did it. I was at camp yesterday and that tree's shape is MUCH better now, and other than the pruning scar, you'd never know so much had been cut away last winter.

 

[Apple Junkie]

Yep, Bite the bullet now and pick the straightest stem to save. This tree still has a lot of growing to do, so the crown will likely balance itself out in a few years. You may have to prune for a few years to encourage more balanced limb load. - just my 2 cents.

 

[Jhoss]

I'm in the same boat but I dare say my problem child tree is another year older / bigger around. It was supposed to be a smaller crab so I was not concerned however last year it through a mid to large green apple! which changes the spectrum a bit. I will tell you that last year I took away half of a Dabinette tree last year (in a younger smaller size) where I struggled to try to call which half was dominant. It grew like the dickens and turned out fine so I doubt there is a large chance of killing the tree via too much take away.

 

[CrazyEd]

Cut It!

 

[meyerske]

Thanks guys! It is unanimous that the second leader must go.