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How to understand that an apple tree has aged and to carry out rejuvenating pruning: advice for novice gardeners
04.01.2023 12:58
Updated: 13.04.2023 06:40
The purchased summer cottage may contain old fruit trees, which do not necessarily need to be uprooted and replaced with young trees.
In this case, you will have to wait a long time for the harvest, so it is more logical to carry out rejuvenating pruning, after which the tree should return to life.
The tree has aged: signs
Fruit trees usually produce fruit for up to 25 years. If they have been properly looked after all this time, then age-related problems should not arise at all. But if the fruits are small and tasteless, then most likely the garden has been neglected for many years.
Tree rejuvenation
First, pay attention to the annual growths. If their length is shorter than 25 cm, then 3-4-year-old shoots are left.
If the annuals are shorter than 10 centimeters, then as a rejuvenating pruning it will be enough to thin out the crown and shorten the tree in height.
When to start
In most cases, this is March, but the main condition is the absence of severe frosts (-15 degrees and below). Due to the fact that pears, apple trees and other pome fruits are sensitive to infections, it is better not to carry out rejuvenating pruning in the summer.
The best time of year is early spring.
In this case, perennial shoots are cut back thoroughly, leaving 1/3 of their previous length.
Afterwards, many water sprouts may appear, which must be cut out, but not all, leaving some for the restoration of the crown. This is done within 2-3 years after the procedure, which allows us to talk about pruning for fruiting.
Important! More than 1/3 of the tree crown should not be removed in one year, otherwise it can cause severe stress. It is safer to spread this procedure over 2-3 years.
