Is it ok to cut back apple trees now?
susananwms
Posts: 213
in Plants
I have got 2 young apple trees about 2 to 3 years old. They have both got very small apples growing at the moment. Will it be ok to cut back leaves and branches that have no apples on them so that the growing apples can get more sun?
Everywhere I have looked so far says to prune in spring after the frost and about cutting out dead wood and thin branches. Thing is there are loads of new leaves and branches with no apples on them and I think these are just shading the growing apples
One tree is trained against a fence and the other one is free growing but does not get much sun in the afternoon
Everywhere I have looked so far says to prune in spring after the frost and about cutting out dead wood and thin branches. Thing is there are loads of new leaves and branches with no apples on them and I think these are just shading the growing apples
One tree is trained against a fence and the other one is free growing but does not get much sun in the afternoon
0
Posts
One way that they build up their strength is to grow leaves. The leaves contain a green substance called chlorophyll. When sunlight hits the leaves the chlorophyll converts it into sugars which help to feed the plant. Cutting off the leaves of a young plant will hinder its growth and develpment.
Also, for such young trees, producing fruit is like allowing a young animal to have young of its own. Young dogs and cats (and even humans) are capable of producing offspring but it isn’t advisable. They need time to grow and develop themselves.
So my approach would be to limit the fruit and save the leaves.
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
I recommend you look at the RHS Website, you will get all the advice you need there.