Last year, I bought and planted two nursery-stock apple trees and a self-pollinating sour cherry tree. But I didn't prune them. I didn't realize I was supposed to, or else I forgot. Now it's going to be spring in a few months and I don't know if I can bear to cut them back to scrawny things. They are looking quite good right now up close, despite the lack of leaves due to winter.
So is it necessary to prune fruit trees? Will they be too weak, or not bear, if I "forget" to do it again this year?
I hope someone knows.
Hi Fox,
It's important to train and prune your apple trees during different stages of growth for optimum production and better health of your trees. You don't have to prune them into little twigs though. Here's how to prune and train apples.
https://www.eap.mcgill.ca/CPTFP_7.htm
https://www.cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/h-312.html
https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/homefruit/apple/apple.html
At this second site you'll find lots of helpful info as well. Be sure to scroll down to cherry trees.
https://www.aboutcherrytrees.com/pruning_cherry_trees.shtml
https://www.coopext.colostate.edu/TRA/PLANTS/index.html#https://www.coopext.colostate.edu/TRA/PLANTS/pruningstonefruittrees.html
This site shows closeups of how to make the pruning cuts.
https://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_prune/prun001.htm
Newt
It's important to train and prune your apple trees during different stages of growth for optimum production and better health of your trees. You don't have to prune them into little twigs though. Here's how to prune and train apples.
https://www.eap.mcgill.ca/CPTFP_7.htm
https://www.cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/h-312.html
https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/homefruit/apple/apple.html
At this second site you'll find lots of helpful info as well. Be sure to scroll down to cherry trees.
https://www.aboutcherrytrees.com/pruning_cherry_trees.shtml
https://www.coopext.colostate.edu/TRA/PLANTS/index.html#https://www.coopext.colostate.edu/TRA/PLANTS/pruningstonefruittrees.html
This site shows closeups of how to make the pruning cuts.
https://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_prune/prun001.htm
Newt