Has your tree gone biennial and only crops every other year? Can you identify fruit bud from leaf bud? Do you want to identify different ages of wood? Or know which tree shape/form you are trying to achieve?
If you have questions about your fruit trees and looking to get the best harvest for 2024 then our one day Winter pruning course is for you! They are running throughout November and December this year, and January and February 2024.
ORCHARD TALK – 23rd November
If you would like a taster then join us for an orchard talk on 23rd November with Jon Easton. Free for Orchard pass holders or only £10 per person.
In the meantime, here’s are some top tips for winter pruning to get you started!
Our Top 5 Winter Pruning Tips
- Prune apples and pears when leaves are off the tree and before bud break. Generally this is between November and March. Cherries and plums should only be pruned between April and October.
- Make sure your tools are clean and sharp. It is crucial to ensure cuts made are clean and precise allowing the plant to heal quicker and more efficiently, reducing the risk of damage, disease and infection.
- Do not remove more than 25% of the wood from the tree. This often means that you are unable to do all the cuts that you want to do in one year.
- Remove dead, diseased and crossing branches. Basic and minimal cuts are best. Crossed or touching branches should be removed because continuous rubbing can encourage disease.
- Allow enough light into the tree. Remove branches where they are very close to each other. It is import to have good light and air circulation.
Find out more about our Winter Pruning course here.
Dates:
10, 11, 18, 19 November 2023
1, 2, 8, 9 December 2023
26, 27 January 2024
9, 10 February 2024
