A SUMMER SNIP FOR APPLES

August is the month for cutting back apple trees. this is especially important with cordon or espalier trees. During spring and summer, new shoots will appear along the branches.

Prune all those back, leaving a short stump. Each should carry three or four leaves. On a severed stump, shoots will remain short but will develop fruiting spurs. On those next year’s apples will form. Mature espalier and cordon apples are likely to need some fruiting spurs pruned or removed in winter.