Applesandpearsneedaprune
Fruit trees have carried large crops this year. they’ve also suffered from the extreme summer heat and drought. Now it’s time to prune apple and pear trees trained as espaliers or cordons.
Summer shoots should have been shortened in August. if they weren’t, do it when the leaves have fallen. Long shoots which have grown this year should be shortened. Leave stumps with three or more dormant buds. You’ll see those just above each leaf or leaf-scar.
Next, deal with congested fruiting spurs. those with too many buds should be thinned. Snip off several of the short, twiggy growths from each spur. Leave two or at the most three shoots per spur. those will carry next year’s blossom.
Free- standing trees may not need pruning. But if the branches have become crowded or are growing across each other, pruning is needed. remove crossing branches, cutting at their bases.
Overcrowded tree canopies will benefit from being thinned out. that will create a more open growth where air can circulate.
uncrowded branches will carry more spring blossom and will also keep your trees looking attractive. Fruit will be better and crops will be heavier, too.
Plums may also need pruning but never do that in autumn. Pruning between now and spring greatly increases the risk of trees catching silver- leaf diseases. Midsummer is the optimum time for pruning plums, damsons and bullaces.