Pruning Fruit Trees

[splodger]

Yes please (but I'm only around at weekends), yes no problem, either a short walk or drive away and yes, try stopping me

that's sorted then

bring your diary on sunday

weekends are as good as any other day for me

i can have a look at everything else too - might bring my camera - so garden had better be in order

[Nikki]

i can have a look at everything else too - might bring my camera - so garden had better be in order

Ah, well, errrrrr, so you're coming in August then ......................................

I'll bring me diary on Sunday

[foxy]

We have a few apple cordons, now in their second year (Katy variety) I am not sure if I should've have pruned at the end of summer??? I think it is too late now?

[Poolfield2]

I did winter pruning and got loads of leaves and not much fruit so this time I've done the summer pruning and I will see if I get a better crop, assuming it ever gets warm enough for there to be flowers

[splodger]

for a healthy tree and good consistent crop you should in fact do a winter prune (for health and shape) and a summer prune - to strengthen next years fruit buds - instead of allowing the new shoots to produce more growth buds

i will be more than happy to do a virtual prune for anybody that posts pics of their tree

[Poolfield2]

I think you need a "holiday" in Gloucestershire at pruning time

[splodger]

I think you need a "holiday" in Gloucestershire at pruning time

i will gladly pop along to growveg members - and show them how to prune

ask nikki - i recently gave her a tuition - and i think she got the gist

[Nikki]

I think you need a "holiday" in Gloucestershire at pruning time

i will gladly pop along to growveg members - and show them how to prune

ask nikki - i recently gave her a tuition - and i think she got the gist

I think I know what I'm doing now...............only problem is splodger lives quite close so can pop round to check up on me.....................(gulping, sweaty smilie please)

Seriously she is great at explaining things, and has put tape on my plum tree so I can do it later in the year.

[Poolfield2]

That would be amazing but failing that I'll sign up for your virtual pruning lessons. I never learn from reading I need to watch and the youtube I've watched just left me more confused, I'm sure I've left some of the laterals too long in the first couple of years but I don't have the confidence to do radical surgery.

I have planted in a sheltered front garden the hardiest varieties of apricot, peach, nectarine (against a wall), almond, sweet cherry, gage and quince and I think if there was an RSPCT I would be reported to them

[foxy]

Maybe if I post photos of my cordons you could possibly let me know what I should have done? So I can get it right this summer?

That really would be a great help!

[splodger]

both of you are quite close - so i could do onsite tuition if you liked

but it is too late now for the winter prune on apples and pears - might be ok for a morrello cherry at this time - but that is about it

summer prune is easy - as long as you have done a good winter prune - but i will gladly do a virtual prune for you

i just need a full set of pics - from every angle - and i will show you where to cut

[Poolfield2]

Is it best to take pics now while the "branches" are clear to see?

Foxy and I live about 40 mins apart so if you were able to visit it should be possible to do us both on one trip.

[foxy]

Is it best to take pics now while the "branches" are clear to see?

Foxy and I live about 40 mins apart so if you were able to visit it should be possible to do us both on one trip.

Oh Gawd!!!! now you've you've done Poolfield!! I am starting to sweat already!!

[beanwood]

but i will gladly do a virtual prune for you

Great stuff - they're in need of a bit of help. Whilst you're showing Foxy how to virtual prune, I'll stick the virtual Tea and biscuits on Do you prefer shortcake or custard creams - they're all zero calories in my virtual kitchen

[Sally A]

...and Foxy's just up the road from me, and I haven't sorted out my plum properly yet Mistress

[foxy]

...and Foxy's just up the road from me, and I haven't sorted out my plum properly yet Mistress

Groan...its getting worse...as long as I don't have to bake a cake!!

[splodger]

Is it best to take pics now while the "branches" are clear to see?

Foxy and I live about 40 mins apart so if you were able to visit it should be possible to do us both on one trip.

yes i could do you both in one visit - as the sap is rising - and pear then apples burst very soon - i would suggest a summer visit - so i could show you what needed to come out in the inter / what you should keep etc

i am not adverse to the occasional slurp and do enjoy an odd barbie - so you might be able to coax me down (maybe we could have a southern BBQ - and get sally and nikki down too ( although they are both quite mad- so that is totally optional )
thinking about it - maybe the virtual prune would be safest for you

[foxy]

Actually a barby sounds like a lovely idea!

[Poolfield2]

It's alright Foxy I think we've scared her off, was that the thought of our pruning or your catering

I'll do photos soon but don't shout at me when you see what a mess I've made of my trees I am to pruning what Foxy is to baking

[splodger]

I am to pruning what Foxy is to baking

you can't be that bad surely