Prune all bushes in early spring before they leaf out, except those that flower in spring such as Lilac and Forsythia. Spring flowering shrubs should be pruned after they blossom.
As a general rule of thumb, never prune bushes when their leaves are forming or falling. Avoid pruning more than one third of the branches as this promotes soft growth.
Position prunes after lateral branching; never leave stubs as the wound will not seal properly causing decay and unnatural growth.
Establish a generous framework of scaffold branches that allow maximum penetration of sunlight and drying breezes. Fungus diseases require a certain amount of surface wetting prior to infection: good disease control begins with pruning.
Young apple trees should be trained so that the branches are at least 15 cm apart and evenly spaced around the stem, with the first branch pointing to the southwest about 45 cm from the ground.
Do not cut or break off short branches or spurs as these bear the flowers and fruit. Water sprouts usually develop on branches after heavy pruning. These can be removed when they form as they use the nutrients needed by developing fruit.
Thinning is perhaps the most telling action you can take to produce a quality apple crop and encourage return bloom next spring. Leave the largest fruitlet in each blossom cluster by stripping the rest away.
Prune with purpose: to remove all dead, diseased and damaged limbs; to remove crossing or competing limbs (branches rubbing against each another); to allow more light and air to the centre or crown of the plant; and lastly, to create or maintain shape.
