More pruning questions

[Charman03]

These trees were planted spring of 2017. How should I prune? I'm going for the fuller tree look and less like the commercial orchard look being they are in my yard. All trees are on EMLA111 for ACN.

In order:
Enterprise
Liberty
Galarina
Crimson Crisp

The Liberty is basically just a big Y at this point, it needs more scaffolds. Enterprise always throw me off, all my enterprise have this same look. The galarina and crimson crisp both put out alot of limbs the first year. I like the look of the glarina and might just trim some interior crossing stuff. Any helpful tips?

 

[Prof.Kent]

So you want and apple tree that looks "fuller" like a shade tree? A self-standng apple tree should still be pruned into whirls of branches, 3 or 4 to a whirl, 12" apart vertically. As the tree matures you can remove whole whirls of branches if the tree gets to grown-in. You can start by removing the lowest whirl when you decide you want to mow under it without loosing your hat (or eye). All but the Liberty tend to be bushy trees. I would prune to 4 branches per whirl. Go for balance and openness.

 

[Charman03]

thanks prof kent

 

[Barndog56]

I would suggest scoring buds on the Liberty to get it to grow some more branches.

 

[Turkey Creek]

Liberty does often seem pretty shy about throwing branches.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Our Liberties (all 5) are not very limb-y. Scoring seems to be the best answer. We have Enterprise (4 of them) also from ACN and they look exactly like yours. I can only say what I've done with those. I prune off the lowest limbs and then let the trees grow upward another year. The next year I prune off the lowest limbs again and let grow, until I get the lowest limbs at 5 ft. above grade - or higher. One Enterprise had a split trunk. I cut the one off that was heading out at an angle (compared to the other one which was straight up). It made the canopy look a bit weird, but it turned out to be the best move. It shot upward and the next year I pruned some limbs to even things out and now it looks really good.

As Maya, Appleman, Turkey Creek, Crazy Ed & others have said on here, you don't make a perfect tree in 1 pruning. It takes several years of gradual shaping.

The Galarina & Crimson Crisp - I'd use some limb spreaders or tie down the limbs that are at the top of the cage so they don't compete with the leader. They can become your low scaffolds, and also develop good crotch angles. I'd prune off some of those lower limbs so the tree directs it's energy upward.

If you don't have it, consider buying (for about$12) the Penn State publication " Fruit Production for the Home Gardener " . I have it and follow their diagrams in there for radial limb spacing and scaffold placement. It's not just apples - it has many fruits and gobs of info in it. Well worth the $12.

 

[Charman03]

Our Liberties (all 5) are not very limb-y. Scoring seems to be the best answer. We have Enterprise (4 of them) also from ACN and they look exactly like yours. I can only say what I've done with those. I prune off the lowest limbs and then let the trees grow upward another year. The next year I prune off the lowest limbs again and let grow, until I get the lowest limbs at 5 ft. above grade - or higher. One Enterprise had a split trunk. I cut the one off that was heading out at an angle (compared to the other one which was straight up). It made the canopy look a bit weird, but it turned out to be the best move. It shot upward and the next year I pruned some limbs to even things out and now it looks really good.

As Maya, Appleman, Turkey Creek, Crazy Ed & others have said on here, you don't make a perfect tree in 1 pruning. It takes several years of gradual shaping.

The Galarina & Crimson Crisp - I'd use some limb spreaders or tie down the limbs that are at the top of the cage so they don't compete with the leader. They can become your low scaffolds, and also develop good crotch angles. I'd prune off some of those lower limbs so the tree directs it's energy upward.

If you don't have it, consider buying (for about$12) the Penn State publication " Fruit Production for the Home Gardener " . I have it and follow their diagrams in there for radial limb spacing and scaffold placement. It's not just apples - it has many fruits and gobs of info in it. Well worth the $12.

Where can I purchase this?

 

[chickenlittle]

https://extension.psu.edu/fruit-production-for-the-home-gardener

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I got mine from our local PSU extension office. Chickenlittle posted the link. ^^^^^^^ You won't be sorry.