Fruit Trees - orchard management - Any gardeners?

WHPES · Feb 22, 2014

Having acquired an orchard with our house with 27 fruit trees of various types, I'm wondering whether to undertake a hard prune to lower the height of the apple and pear treees as they've been neglected for a few years and much of the fruit cannot be reached, but will it take too long before I get fruit again? What about plums and apricots or am I best to lightly prune only? (yes I know you only prune these in summmer).

Anyone in the York area want some surplus fruit in the Autumn? We've always got spare.

albatross · Feb 22, 2014

I'd say remove no more than a third of overall size or branch length. It should carry on fruiting no worries. Remove any dead branches. You may get better/larger fruit as the tree will put the same energy into growing less items, less waste but higher quality. Apple and pear can be pruned now.

REDSAW · Feb 22, 2014

did have a few apples n pear trees,

best to hard prune to 8-10' max looking for the new shoots as it will yield more and better fruit. this is because it will develop the best rather than the dross fruits on older limbs. you might not get many in the first year but in the second if you lightly prune befor budding you will fill an apple cart.lol

Ermintrude · Feb 22, 2014

We used to cut back all the vertical "water shoots" and bring crown in. Some trees were reduced by 75% and came back no orobs. Just make sure u cut any scabs back and all cuts just above a branch or bud and at an angle to ensure water runs off.

julesverne · Feb 22, 2014

i would take any fruit off you for making some cider and stuff if you have lots spare in the autumn . i live in bradford but happy to travel.
😛unk:

lame plumber · Feb 22, 2014

bear mind that only only 2nd year growth has the buds on it that will flower and then turn to fruit. Otherwise cut back hard to the trunk/main limbs to reshape the tree. Do it over a couple of years and you'll retain any fruit harvest and not cause the tree to try and regrow too quick. if you just snip the ends of branches you'll cause the tree to bush out madly and waste energy on growing rather than fruiting. Main thing to beware is not to leave poor cuts and split limbs or you'll introduce canker, which should also be totally removed if you come across it and burn the residue or it will re-infect the trees. try and aim t produce tree that is opened up evenly the light, i.e. equally spaced limb like an upside down umbrella. As mentioned always cut just above a bud facing upwards, keeping the cut small if possible. Only know a bit as the old man used to have some 5000 coxes and a few pear trees.

WHPES · Feb 25, 2014

We gave the quinces and medlars a hard prune last year and were inundated with fruit this Autumn. Apricots and greengages didn't produce fruit last year but I think it was down to the damp weather during flower which kept the bees away. Plums did well, and apples and pears were good too but the trees are a bit high and the top fruit is inaccessible.

lame plumber · Feb 25, 2014

buy a step ladder 🙂

WHPES · Feb 26, 2014

Got one but standing on the 2nd from top rung and holding onto a branch to stop it wobbling over whilst trying to reach the top is not my idea of fun.

Anyway I gave a good trim yesterday so they are about 1ft lower now.