Growing Green

By Robin Trott, Extension Educator

University of Minnesota Extension is offering a series of apple tree pruning workshops across the state. These free workshops will take place throughout the winter months, the time of year when apple trees are dormant and pruning is recommended.

Whether you have two trees or 20, you can get guidance on proper pruning methods and hands-on practice pruning trees at apple orchards.

Pruning apple trees properly is important to optimize fruit growth and make harvesting easier. Homeowners, gardeners, Master Gardener volunteers, and orchardists of all experience levels throughout Minnesota may find these workshops useful. Participants will be outdoors using pruning shears and loppers, so attendees are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather and activities involved.

Extension educators will lead participants through the considerations and techniques for proper pruning. All workshops will be held from 1 to 3 p.m.

Due to the program’s popularity and the owner’s willingness, we will host a second apple pruning workshop at Milk and Honey Ciders on March 8 from 1-3 p.m. in St. Joseph. Space is limited to 25 participants.  If you are interested in attending the workshop, visit https://extension.umn.edu/courses-and-events and search apple tree pruning.

If you can’t attend the workshop here is some information from Annie Klodd, Fruit Specialist.

  It is time to prune your fruit trees! The UMN Extension Horticulture team has you covered with videos and written instructions on how to prune home apple trees.

Please see this 3-part video series to learn how to prune your mature apple tree: https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-apples#pruning-videos-264211

Old or overgrown apple trees

Do you have a tree that is overgrown, old or neglected, that hasn’t been pruned in a few years? You’re not alone. We receive emails from several gardeners each year looking for advice on pruning overgrown apple trees.

In this case, it’s a good idea to go slow. Do not try to severely prune back the whole tree in a single season.

After watching the videos above to understand the goals to work toward, we have more guidance on pruning old or overgrown trees here https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-apples#pruning-to-restore-or-renovate-an-old-tree-264212.

New apple trees

If you just planted your apple trees in the last couple of years, your pruning decisions now are important. They will determine the shape that the tree takes, and may influence how soon you get to harvest fruit. However, this should not take you very long, because you will not need to make many cuts.

Find out more about pruning young or newly planted trees here: https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-apples#training-young-trees-264213

Until next time, happy gardening!

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Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree. ~Martin Luther