num_pages: 45
description: Learning to prune fruit can be confusing! It’s easy to be put off by the technical terminology and perfect looking trees in the pruning books. This small guide avoids jargon, but explains pruning by illustrating how an apple tree grows and how it responds to being pruned. It covers all aspects of apple tree pruning, from forming the shape of a newly planted tree, to restoring an old tree, the reasons for winter and summer pruning, and what tools to use. The author's experience with fruit growing is in the UK, but the principles apply to apple (and pear) trees growing anywhere in a temperate climate.Please note that this is a short booklet. It was written in response to comments from horticultural students who found that conventional pruning books were hard to follow. For many people, reading a short explanation of the principals of pruning gives greater clarity than navigating more detailed cut-by-cut instructions. By grasping these core principals, the gardener can prune their trees to any desired shape. It can also be a useful “way in” to understanding the more technical guides. However, for those who prefer a more prescriptive approach there are a range excellent books on the market such as those produced by the RHS.
language: English
title: How to Prune an Apple Tree: A guide for real people with imperfect trees