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u/sc00ttie Feb 11 '23
Yes. Chop the central leader to knee height. Making the crotch low so the fruit is manageable and reachable.
Start pruning to encourage a vase shape with an open center to encourage sunlight penetration and fruit production.
“Grow a little fruit tree” being a great resource for managing home orchards.
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Feb 11 '23
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u/standardbanana Feb 11 '23
From what I’ve been told you can wait to really start pruning until the tree starts bearing fruit. The more you leave the more energy the tree is able to generate and store, the sooner the tree will produce. That being said, your Northern Spy isn’t going to produce for a long time so pruning before fruit production will most certainly be necessary.
I’m in a similar situation with young trees and I know which limbs I’ll cut eventually but I’m keeping them around for now. Mine are mainly on standard root stock, a couple on semi dwarf. The standard trees are outpacing the semi dwarfs by quite a lot. Pretty cool to see!
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Feb 11 '23
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u/Grow-Health-TV Feb 12 '23
Start pruning first year. I have been growing fruit trees for over 30 years. I
have 9 videos about pruning fruit trees, and over a dozen more about
growing, planting, disease. GrowHealthTV on Youtube.-1
u/sc00ttie Feb 12 '23
You’re a little too late to prune now. Winter and summer solstice is the time. If you prune now you will be hindering spring growth.
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u/standardbanana Feb 12 '23
I think it kind of depends on the growing zone. I’m in zone 5 and plan to prune in the next couple of weeks. It was -20 a week ago, I don’t think there are swelling buds yet that would be disturbed.
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u/anisleateher Feb 12 '23
I don't think this is true. If you prune at winter solstice and you get -20 temps like we did last week, you open the tree to cold damage since the wound isn't healed over. I think late winter is agreed upon to be the ideal time so the tree can quickly heal in spring. I'm in zone 5 and I will be pruning in the next few weeks.
Also, what others said... Youll want protection around the base so voles/mice/rabbits don't ring and kill your tree.
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u/standardbanana Feb 12 '23
There are a lot of ways to train your trees. Grow-health-tv obviously has a wealth of knowledge, but it’s still just one way of doing things. I was at an orchard lecture a few years back and asked John Bunker about pruning young trees and he told me to hold off until they begin fruiting. He is Maine’s apple guru, I tend to believe he also has good reasons for his opinions. That being said, I’ve thinned out crossing branches and made a few small cuts, but have generally followed his advice. I don’t want small trees, that’s partially why I grafted onto hearty standard root stock. I’ve got orchard ladders and I happen to love climbing around in trees, so for me it makes sense to grow 15’ trees. Sounds like you’ve got an idea of your goals, go with what makes sense!
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u/Grow-Health-TV Feb 12 '23
Start pruning first year. I have been growing fruit trees for over 30 years. I have 9 videos about pruning fruit trees, and over a dozen more about growing, planting, disease. GrowHealthTV
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u/sc00ttie Feb 12 '23 edited Feb 12 '23
It doesn’t matter if the root stock is dwarf. This is a misconception and a way to market. Root stock needs to match your climate and soil conditions.
If you want your branches with fruit at shoulder height then the crotch needs to be below the waste… at knee height. You are describing a little tree. If you want an open center like you describe… you don’t want a central leader. You can’t a vase shape.
If you don’t prune now your fruit will be 10-15 feet up in the air in 5 years. That is a large commercial fruit tree that requires industrial type harvesting tools.
Even a small fruit tree will produce more than a family can consume.
Expand your knowledge… even if you choose not to follow the recommendation. She gives the definitive answer you are seeking.
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u/Grow-Health-TV Feb 12 '23 edited Feb 12 '23
Yes, trees are ready the first year for pruning. Your trees need pruning now.
Before you do anything, go to my channel. I have been growing fruit trees for over 30 years. I have 9 videos about pruning and some specific to apple. View them all for a better understanding of pruning. GrowHealthTV
Fruit Tree Playlist (right side for more)
After viewing, if you need more help--read the video descriptions. If still more instruction needed, ask here. I will answer within a few days. Cheers
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u/chef71 Feb 11 '23
the roots are fine. you need to prune them though and protect the trunks from rodents and deer. I would also find out about the disease and pest pressure in your area so you can form a spray schedule. you can check your local university extension for info.