How much do you prune your fruit trees? I have pear trees that need a trimming but I'm never sure how much to prune - I usually dance in the extremes on both sides of the equation, and that strategy doesn't often work so well...
It very much depends on the age of them, and I am learning more every year. I think for young apples it's more or less required, for pears less so. I did two of the older cherry trees last year as well, and they responded brilliantly to it. I think the rules of thumb for anything under about 7 years is take out any branches pointing the wrong way, and trim leaders back by a third. After that, more or less them them grow, taking out problem branches as and when.
And I meant to add - make sure you make nice clean cuts! Use sharp tools :)
Obviously, it's good to be cautious - established trees are irreplaceable. I'd be slightly surprised (based on nothing really) if something infecting a vine would also infect a cherry... That might need some more research though!
How much do you prune your fruit trees? I have pear trees that need a trimming but I'm never sure how much to prune - I usually dance in the extremes on both sides of the equation, and that strategy doesn't often work so well...
It very much depends on the age of them, and I am learning more every year. I think for young apples it's more or less required, for pears less so. I did two of the older cherry trees last year as well, and they responded brilliantly to it. I think the rules of thumb for anything under about 7 years is take out any branches pointing the wrong way, and trim leaders back by a third. After that, more or less them them grow, taking out problem branches as and when.
If the trees are well asleep, and then there shouldn't really be any need, I don't think. As long as there aren't any diseased trees anywhere nearby.
And I meant to add - make sure you make nice clean cuts! Use sharp tools :)
Obviously, it's good to be cautious - established trees are irreplaceable. I'd be slightly surprised (based on nothing really) if something infecting a vine would also infect a cherry... That might need some more research though!