A Kinder Cut

Fruit trees, such as apples, pears and plums, require regular pruning or they will stop producing crops of fruit. If the pruning operations are carried out in the correct order the tree will have a better shape with more fruiting branches.

Cut out any branches which have canker disease. Where infected, the bark swells up and cracks. Make the cut at least 3 inches below the infected wood. Burn the branches.

Remove thin stems on the main branches.

Remove any branches which are crossing through the centre of the tree or are rubbing on another branch.

Make the cuts with a sharp saw or secateurs.

Larger wounds may be painted with a sealant to keep out harmful fungus spores. Old apple trees with green algae and lichen on the bark may be cleaned by spraying Tar Oil Winter Wash in December or January.

Plum trees should not be pruned in winter when the fungus spores of Silver Leaf disease are active.They enter the tree through wounds. Prune plums and cherries in July when the disease spores are dormant.

Two year old trees, planted this season, need to be trained into shape. The small branches make up the main framework of the tree for years to come.

With bush trees keep them evenly spaced. Shorten, by one third, the main branches.This pruning will encourage them to form side shoots.

Narrow angled branches are prone to split when they are laden with fruit. Remove the weakest stem or the one pointing in the wrong direction.

Branches which are close to the ground will have to be removed at some stage but in the meantime cut them back to 15 cm (6 in). They will help the trunk of the tree to thicken and may produce a few fruit.

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