If the angle is any smaller than this, the branch will likely break off.

Unfortunately, many gardeners choose to prune their apple trees in the fall, which is one of the worst times to prune apples. Apples trees should be pruned in late winter or early spring for best. Dec 16, Late winter or early spring while the tree is still dormant and before active growth begins for the season is the best time to prune apple trees. Buds are easier to see and work around and cut wounds have a chance to dry up before insects come out in the spring.

The top of your tree will likely soon be covered in thin, vertical sprouts that look like twigs.

You will see less effect on winter hardiness and overall tree shrubhauling.barted Reading Time: 9 mins. Pruning Apple Trees 4 Trees Over Ten Years This is the age when trees are in prime fruiting. The limbs begin to bend from the weight of the fruit. Removal of thin wood, crowded branches, broken limbs, and water sprouts is a general practice.

The big problem now is keeping the tree down to size without stimulating more upward growth. The Ideal Time to Prune Apple Trees Apple trees should be pruned in late winter, but you can prune into the spring and summer if you must. Avoid pruning in the fall since this stimulates new growth at the same time the tree should be getting ready for winter.

Beside above, how do you prune an apple tree? To prune apple trees, wait until spring and early summer.

Then, use hand pruners and loppers to cut off. Jul 22, Prune your apple trees in the dormant (winter) season.

Seen from an aerial view, the scaffold branches of the tree will look similar to a star or the spokes on a wheel.

March is generally the best month to prune fruit trees. However, you can prune apple trees anytime after leaf drop in the fall. The most vigorous upright shoot will become your central leader. Create scaffold branches by selecting 4 to 5 branches evenly spaced around the tree.