As of: January 22, 2024, 10:00 a.m
By: Yannik Lurz
Comments
Press
Split
It should be crisp and juicy: the apple.
Anyone who takes care of trees in spring increases the chances of a good harvest - and protects the apple tree.
The apple is a versatile fruit.
Whether pressed as juice, boiled as puree, sliced in cake or simply raw.
If you want to grow the fruit yourself, there are a few things you should keep in mind when caring for the tree.
This includes, above all, cutting the apple tree.
We clarify what you should take into account - and when the ideal time is.
Pruning apple trees: best between January and March
By pruning you can ensure the health of your apple tree and ensure a rich harvest.
© Panthermedia/Imago
Various factors influence your timing.
Legally speaking, from March 1st you are only allowed to carry out grooming or topiary cuts.
Then the Federal Nature Conservation Act prohibits pruning so as not to disturb birds.
The animals should be able to breed in peace until September 30th.
This doesn't really matter for your apple tree.
While the
Norddeutsche Rundfunk (NDR)
recommends the period from January to March for pruning fruit trees, the magazine
My Beautiful Garden
skips the first month of the year.
Both recommendations have to do with the winter dormancy and growth phase of the apple tree.
At the time of cutting, the fruit tree is between the two phases.
What does that mean?
According to
the State Association for Bird and Nature Conservation in Bavaria,
the trees slow down processes such as water transport in winter.
But with spring the growth phase begins and the wounds heal well.
If it is too cold for you to work in the garden in winter, you can still use scissors on the apple tree before the harvest.
You can find even more exciting garden topics in the regular newsletter from our partner 24garten.de.
Pruning apple trees: Sharp tools prevent unnecessary injuries
Two things are particularly important: the right technique and sharp scissors (promotional link) or something comparable.
Cut the branches either directly at the branch or above a branch.
According to NDR
, the general rule is
that fruit trees have a pyramid-shaped cut.
Of course, this doesn't apply if you want to grow your apple tree as espalier fruit.
Above all, make sure that there is enough air and sun on the individual branches - the advantage: regular pruning prevents pest infestation on the apple tree.
Remove branches that get in the way of each other.
Keep the desired structure of your apple tree in mind.
My news
How often do you have to change washcloths – weekly or should you prefer daily? read
Ventilating in sub-zero temperatures: How long can the windows remain open in frost? read
The ten most livable cities in Europe: Two of them are in Germany - and will surprise many people
Rinse aid is a true all-rounder in the household: eight surfaces that can be cleaned with it
Read about the cleaning mistakes you should definitely not make on a glass ceramic hob
Three rubbish myths that are unfortunately still circulating
Cutting apple trees: How do I recognize fruit wood?
You may have already heard of the so-called fruitwood.
Spektrum
magazine
describes this wood as the fruit-bearing branches.
These branches are often smaller and arise from larger shoots.
The apples later hang on the fruit wood - the name almost suggests it.
Make sure that these shoots don't get in the way.
Older branches often produce smaller fruits: you can remedy this with a rejuvenating cut.