Review of 'badly' pruned apple tree

This is a follow up to an earlier video I posted which on reflection sounded a bit smug and uncharitable of me.

The video of this tree in late winter shows the 'pudding basin haircut' or topiary style of pruning which involves tight clipping back all round. This is the opposite of my advice on how to prune a tree for optimum fruit production.

However, looking at the same tree in early summer, it looks quite good as part of a decorative garden which is clearly loved and cared for by the householder. I thought I would post this follow-up video to say that if you want a tree for shade, structure and shelter, your goal is not the same as if you were trying to get maximum fruit production, so your pruning style may be different.

This way of pruning, which I see very often, will produce an apple tree trained rather like a hedge-a thicket of growth and almost no fruit. Fine if that's what you want. There is only a problem if you think that hard clipping al the way round is the way to get an apple tree to fruit, it isn't.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• apple
• tree
• prune
• garden

[Frankenpalin]

what a polite follow up

[stephenhayesuk]

@Frankenpalin Thank you.

I still think that the original video is a good example of how not to prune an apple tree IF your main object is to grow fruit. However, I reflected that I had come across a bit snobbish and condescending to the owner of this tree so thought I would post this as a correction.

[Frankenpalin]

@stephenhayesuk I didn't think you were being a snob at all, you were looking at it in terms of a functioning fruit tree. It is a beautiful tree as is but I have a question.

If you were able to work on that tree as you see fit, could you turn it into something that yields a big yield of fruit while still retaining it's aesthetic value (and some shade) ? I suppose it would be pyramiding as opposed to hollowing out the middle ?

[stephenhayesuk]

@Frankenpalin

Couple of approaches to the 'restoration' of a tree that has been managed in this way to productivve cropping. I have put a few videos up abuot this. Essentially, thin out the tree and leave it alone. Pyramid or open bush are 2 alternative shapes, the principles are the same.

[stephenhayesuk]

I posted this as I thought on reflection that I had been a bit unkind towards the gardener in my earlier video of this tre which I described as badly pruned. However, this is only true from the point of view of fruit production.

He seems to have achieved the result he wanted and I have no right to be snobbish.

However, if you want fruit, prune my way, not like this. This tree is just fine as shape and height in a tightly planned decorative garden.

[ggmorvaj]

I'm always happy to see that someone's planted a fruit tree in their garden,even if they don't get a harvest....Apple trees provide habitat ...nectar & pollen,fruit & shelter, for insects & birds...Much more than most ornamentals....We're covering the countryside with asphalt & shopping malls, so it's comforting to see little pockets of habitat provided for other creatures. I think this garden is lovely & everything a garden should be.

[paulpellicci]

...i appreciate the information. i have 6 apple trees on my bottom area and want to bring them to a productive state...great information, hope i can save these ooold trees.

[gabrielsdescention]

ive always pondered why we dont plant fruiting tree's like apples and pears/plums in british streets/towns/cities.Beautiful­, functional and a boon to wildlife, you only have to walk down any street in greece or italy and see olives, oranges,lemons and almonds lining the boulevards, the locals generate all sorts of produce from these trees, why not here??

[Teorispa]

I would certainly prefer fruit bearing trees in any yard as opposed to ornamental trees that don't do anything at all aside from looking nice.

Main reason why people don't use it more often are the falling fruit and rot that ensues, which obligates more care and people cannot be bothered.

[axiomatic272]

I'm not quite sure I understand the question, but I think the answer is 'yes-probably'

. The shape of apple trees is quite 'plastic' and you can often go from one shape to another over 3 or 4 years with the right pruning. It would be easier to draw this than to write it! Basically you remove the growth you don't want to favour the growth you do want. I can only humbly suggest you look at my pruning videos and try to work it out from them.

[ivankinsman]

Just a question. We have a wild fruit tree that we think came from a domestic tree at some stage - the apples it produces look like a domestic variety. Can we prune this to get it to look like a domestic variety - will it ever go back to being domestic?

[MadBadVoodo]

Good call my friend the tree does look good in the garden and is a nice fit...

Five Stars!