| Apple trees are traditionally pruned during their dormant season, just before the buds swell. You can remove suckers and water sprouts from the trees during the summer, and remove some of the new growth, but summer pruning can lead to even more vigorous growth because the sap is really running and the tree is ready to produce new tissue. Fruit tree pruning isn't complicated, but it can be difficult to describe. There's an excellent book on the subject called 'Pruning' by Christopher Brickell, and it's loaded with line drawings to guide you through the project. ISBN# 0-671-65841-7. Perhaps your library has a copy, or your local bookstore can order for you. |
