I’ve finally organised my bookmarks so I can keep track of my favourite forum threads :) I wanted to start this one because one of the things I want to get done before demolition is proper pruning, so the fruit trees aren’t all out of control when we (finnnnaaaallly) move back in.

I have the basic knowledge in how to prune the trees (though I will definitely brush up before doing the deed), but what I don’t know is when, so I thought I’d try to gather that info and store it in here. In the long term I’m going to put together a gardening folder with all the key info I need, but for now, here is good.

I have a vague notion that for flowering plants one prunes once the flowers are spent, and for fruiting trees you prune after fruit. I have no idea about deciduous trees, but I hope you prune when they’re bare because obviously that’s when it’s easy to see the structures!

So I’m going to start Googling and throw info in here.. feel free to use the thread too, obviously!

bon008 said:

I’ve finally organised my bookmarks so I can keep track of my favourite forum threads :) I wanted to start this one because one of the things I want to get done before demolition is proper pruning, so the fruit trees aren’t all out of control when we (finnnnaaaallly) move back in.

I have the basic knowledge in how to prune the trees (though I will definitely brush up before doing the deed), but what I don’t know is when, so I thought I’d try to gather that info and store it in here. In the long term I’m going to put together a gardening folder with all the key info I need, but for now, here is good.

I have a vague notion that for flowering plants one prunes once the flowers are spent, and for fruiting trees you prune after fruit. I have no idea about deciduous trees, but I hope you prune when they’re bare because obviously that’s when it’s easy to see the structures!

So I’m going to start Googling and throw info in here.. feel free to use the thread too, obviously!

good idea bon, I’m clean how to learn how to prune the fruit trees the correct way.

bon008 said:

I’ve finally organised my bookmarks so I can keep track of my favourite forum threads :) I wanted to start this one because one of the things I want to get done before demolition is proper pruning, so the fruit trees aren’t all out of control when we (finnnnaaaallly) move back in.

I have the basic knowledge in how to prune the trees (though I will definitely brush up before doing the deed), but what I don’t know is when, so I thought I’d try to gather that info and store it in here. In the long term I’m going to put together a gardening folder with all the key info I need, but for now, here is good.

I have a vague notion that for flowering plants one prunes once the flowers are spent, and for fruiting trees you prune after fruit. I have no idea about deciduous trees, but I hope you prune when they’re bare because obviously that’s when it’s easy to see the structures!

So I’m going to start Googling and throw info in here.. feel free to use the thread too, obviously!

you are onto a good start Bon. Any questions that Google doesn’t answer, then please feel free to ask one of us… we may have tackled a tree or two in the past…

Gardening Australia says of citrus:

“They need very little in the way of pruning, but can be trimmed lightly at harvesting time, if necessary”

http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1866551.htm

This is a PDF from the WA Agriculture Dept with lots of good info on pruning citrus:

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/objtwr/imported_assets/content/hort/fn/cp/citrusfruits/fn060_1995.pdf

Although unfortunately it doesn’t say much about when to prune, except that skeleton pruning should be done in Autumn. Does that mean all pruning is best done in Autumn?

It also details skirt pruning, which reminds me that I have one citrus badly in need of this.

Aha! I think I can use this site as the basis for my schedule:

http://www.daleysfruit.com.au/fruit%20pages/pruning.htm

“June is the best time to head for your deciduous trees with the pruning shears”

“This is the perfect time to start pruning deciduous fruit trees like stone fruit and pome fruit, grapes, mulberries, persimmons, figs and kiwifruit. Pruning needs to be carried out annually to stimulate fruit production. Don’t confuse deciduous fruit trees with evergreen types such as citrus that only require minimal pruning nearer to spring.”

So, for my trees.

Fig, almond, and plum trees: Prune in/near June, when bare.

Citrus: prune after harvest/near Spring. Wait, are those the same thing? I’ll have to keep note this year of when everything gets harvested. The mandies are just starting to change colour, as are the lemons. Although the lemon tree is big and healthy enough that I’m not too worried about when to prune it.

I think that’s me done for a while (until I come across any additional info by chance). I might make some notes in “Bon’s place” to keep track of when the deciduous trees finish dropping leaves. I think the almonds have almost finished, but fig and plum haven’t started yet.

of citrus, if you prune before Christmas the new growth will bear fruit. If you rune after Christmas your tree will not bear much fruit that year and also has the possibility of sun scalded death.

This is turning into a very useful thread. Glad that you started it Bon.

roughbarked said:

of citrus, if you prune before Christmas the new growth will bear fruit. If you rune after Christmas your tree will not bear much fruit that year and also has the possibility of sun scalded death.

I’m getting there re citrus, rarely need to prune them mainly just to shape them. But this is very handy to know. Thanks :)

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

of citrus, if you prune before Christmas the new growth will bear fruit. If you rune after Christmas your tree will not bear much fruit that year and also has the possibility of sun scalded death.

I’m getting there re citrus, rarely need to prune them mainly just to shape them. But this is very handy to know. Thanks :)

I’m glad to know this too. We pruned one year, quite drasticaly, when we returned after being away for a couple of years. We didn’t know what we were doing but the trees improved. Now they only need a trim in places but we still have the FF.

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

of citrus, if you prune before Christmas the new growth will bear fruit. If you rune after Christmas your tree will not bear much fruit that year and also has the possibility of sun scalded death.

I’m getting there re citrus, rarely need to prune them mainly just to shape them. But this is very handy to know. Thanks :)

Peter Cundle loved to rejuvenate a neglected lemon tree with a hard prune though if you manage it well you shouldn’t have to get to that extreme.

Just having a go at pruning my almond trees – they’re as close to bare as they’ll get (when they dropped their leaves earlier, they put some new growth on at the same time =/).

I know roughly what I’m aiming for – clear back from the paths, make an open vase like shape, remove overlapping branches. That makes it sound easy, but geez, I’m struggling!

There are just so many branches with so many bits coming off in all directions, that I’m struggling to visualise what will happen if I take a particular branch off. I guess that comes with practice. There are also several branches growing back from old cuts which have gone straight up and don’t look too great compared to the rest of the structure – I suppose they should be removed?

Going to do some Googling now to look for more advice..

Think I just need to be more vicious.. will go out and have another look :)

bon008 said:

Think I just need to be more vicious.. will go out and have another look :)

Gaaaaaaaah I just can’t bring myself to be really ruthless! I’m doing OK with the smaller tree, because it already has the right shape and doesn’t have any inward-turning branches, but the big one is more messy. Can’t see what to do with it except hack off a lot of wood.. Trying to be brave enough.. :D

Calling it a day today anyway. Most of the branches still needing pruning are so thick that I think I will need to ask M Bon to prune them. Also running out of room to put the prunings, which means I need to work out how to sweet talk him into doing some shredding =/

It’s looking better now though – and I found that popping in and back out a lot helped, because instead of trying to work it all out in one go, I would do a bit, walk away, then come back and see the problem fresh again – work out what needed doing next. Stopped me getting too overwhelmed.

bon008 said:

Calling it a day today anyway. Most of the branches still needing pruning are so thick that I think I will need to ask M Bon to prune them. Also running out of room to put the prunings, which means I need to work out how to sweet talk him into doing some shredding =/

It’s looking better now though – and I found that popping in and back out a lot helped, because instead of trying to work it all out in one go, I would do a bit, walk away, then come back and see the problem fresh again – work out what needed doing next. Stopped me getting too overwhelmed.

Did you leave any fruiting wood?

Generally almonds don’t need pruning other than to get rid og bad or ugly bits

roughbarked said:

bon008 said:

Calling it a day today anyway. Most of the branches still needing pruning are so thick that I think I will need to ask M Bon to prune them. Also running out of room to put the prunings, which means I need to work out how to sweet talk him into doing some shredding =/

It’s looking better now though – and I found that popping in and back out a lot helped, because instead of trying to work it all out in one go, I would do a bit, walk away, then come back and see the problem fresh again – work out what needed doing next. Stopped me getting too overwhelmed.

Did you leave any fruiting wood?

Generally almonds don’t need pruning other than to get rid og bad or ugly bits

Yeh, we’ve been here 5 years and I’ve never pruned the almonds before, except to nip a bit off that grows over the path.

However this bigger one was really getting messy. Mostly because of the branches growing back from where it has been pruned before (I think) – not sure how to stop this happening?

I think there’s still lots of fruiting wood, however not too fussed as I don’t think I’ll worry about working out how to net it until after we’ve moved out and back in again.

bon008 said:

bon008 said:

Think I just need to be more vicious.. will go out and have another look :)

Gaaaaaaaah I just can’t bring myself to be really ruthless! I’m doing OK with the smaller tree, because it already has the right shape and doesn’t have any inward-turning branches, but the big one is more messy. Can’t see what to do with it except hack off a lot of wood.. Trying to be brave enough.. :D

good report and almost exactly what goes thru’ my head when pruning.
i reckon if you give it a fair pruning this year – you can be vicious the next year. maybe,

Plums fruit on the Last years growth? So I would be just best to thin out and get rid of the dead wood?
Figs Unsure which would they fruit on.
and the Last Question is Grape vines, Where do I start pruning them?

Should be able to Burn off all the Prunings and might start a few new figs.

Veg gardener said:

Plums fruit on the Last years growth? So I would be just best to thin out and get rid of the dead wood?
Figs Unsure which would they fruit on.
and the Last Question is Grape vines, Where do I start pruning them?

Should be able to Burn off all the Prunings and might start a few new figs.

Plums yes, get rid of dead wood and reduce fruiting to avoid breaking branches.
Figs doesn’t matter muuch, just shape the tree so that you can reach the figs.
Depends up the type of grape but most vineyards cut the laterals to 2 buds and open out old clusters.

Veg gardener said:

Plums fruit on the Last years growth? So I would be just best to thin out and get rid of the dead wood?
Figs Unsure which would they fruit on.
and the Last Question is Grape vines, Where do I start pruning them?

Should be able to Burn off all the Prunings and might start a few new figs.

figs are on new growth so can prune them as hard as you want.

roughbarked said:

Veg gardener said:

Plums fruit on the Last years growth? So I would be just best to thin out and get rid of the dead wood?
Figs Unsure which would they fruit on.
and the Last Question is Grape vines, Where do I start pruning them?

Should be able to Burn off all the Prunings and might start a few new figs.

Plums yes, get rid of dead wood and reduce fruiting to avoid breaking branches.
Figs doesn’t matter muuch, just shape the tree so that you can reach the figs.
Depends up the type of grape but most vineyards cut the laterals to 2 buds and open out old clusters.

Not sure what type of Grape they are they where my Great Grand fathers and have been in for 20 years.

Veg gardener said:

roughbarked said:

Veg gardener said:

Plums fruit on the Last years growth? So I would be just best to thin out and get rid of the dead wood?
Figs Unsure which would they fruit on.
and the Last Question is Grape vines, Where do I start pruning them?

Should be able to Burn off all the Prunings and might start a few new figs.

Plums yes, get rid of dead wood and reduce fruiting to avoid breaking branches.
Figs doesn’t matter muuch, just shape the tree so that you can reach the figs.
Depends up the type of grape but most vineyards cut the laterals to 2 buds and open out old clusters.

well, with an old grapevine, remove all old dead and diseased looking wood cut all last years canes back to two buds. If it is say a slutana or a currant(yes there are small grapes called currants), then leave a long leader.

Not sure what type of Grape they are they where my Great Grand fathers and have been in for 20 years.

oops, sultana not putana

A friend has a young apple tree he is not sure how to prune – was hoping someone might be able to help? He does have a book with some advice but it sounded a bit drastic to him, I think.

It’s a Pink Lady apple tree about 1.5m tall and has been in the ground for about a year and a half.

That should be a clickable link to the full size image.

He’s basically wanting to know, how would you prune it, given the age & size?

Thanks! :)

bon008 said:

A friend has a young apple tree he is not sure how to prune – was hoping someone might be able to help? He does have a book with some advice but it sounded a bit drastic to him, I think.

It’s a Pink Lady apple tree about 1.5m tall and has been in the ground for about a year and a half.

That should be a clickable link to the full size image.

He’s basically wanting to know, how would you prune it, given the age & size?

Thanks! :)

It is a case of following Peter Cundall’s advice and tie strings on the ends of the branches and place a peg in the ground.. for each sting. Pull each string through the peg until the branch is bent over so the tip points at the ground.. tie the strings tight there. Alternatively tie rocks on the stings and pull the branch down until it threatens to lift the rock.

roughbarked said:

bon008 said:

A friend has a young apple tree he is not sure how to prune – was hoping someone might be able to help? He does have a book with some advice but it sounded a bit drastic to him, I think.

It’s a Pink Lady apple tree about 1.5m tall and has been in the ground for about a year and a half.

That should be a clickable link to the full size image.

He’s basically wanting to know, how would you prune it, given the age & size?

Thanks! :)

It is a case of following Peter Cundall’s advice and tie strings on the ends of the branches and place a peg in the ground.. for each sting. Pull each string through the peg until the branch is bent over so the tip points at the ground.. tie the strings tight there. Alternatively tie rocks on the stings and pull the branch down until it threatens to lift the rock.

Thanks RB. Going to do that to my opalescent apple :)

roughbarked said:

bon008 said:

A friend has a young apple tree he is not sure how to prune – was hoping someone might be able to help? He does have a book with some advice but it sounded a bit drastic to him, I think.

It’s a Pink Lady apple tree about 1.5m tall and has been in the ground for about a year and a half.

That should be a clickable link to the full size image.

He’s basically wanting to know, how would you prune it, given the age & size?

Thanks! :)

It is a case of following Peter Cundall’s advice and tie strings on the ends of the branches and place a peg in the ground.. for each sting. Pull each string through the peg until the branch is bent over so the tip points at the ground.. tie the strings tight there. Alternatively tie rocks on the stings and pull the branch down until it threatens to lift the rock.

Thanks RB! That is done to increase fruiting, isn’t it? So, you wouldn’t think at that age/size, it needs to be pruned at all?

bon008 said:

roughbarked said:

bon008 said:

A friend has a young apple tree he is not sure how to prune – was hoping someone might be able to help? He does have a book with some advice but it sounded a bit drastic to him, I think.

It’s a Pink Lady apple tree about 1.5m tall and has been in the ground for about a year and a half.

That should be a clickable link to the full size image.

He’s basically wanting to know, how would you prune it, given the age & size?

Thanks! :)

It is a case of following Peter Cundall’s advice and tie strings on the ends of the branches and place a peg in the ground.. for each sting. Pull each string through the peg until the branch is bent over so the tip points at the ground.. tie the strings tight there. Alternatively tie rocks on the stings and pull the branch down until it threatens to lift the rock.

Thanks RB! That is done to increase fruiting, isn’t it? So, you wouldn’t think at that age/size, it needs to be pruned at all?

Not really but at the same time you want to start developing the tree now and where else to start but at the bottom? Personally, I’d graft a couple more varieties on, about now or in August..

roughbarked said:

bon008 said:

roughbarked said:

It is a case of following Peter Cundall’s advice and tie strings on the ends of the branches and place a peg in the ground.. for each sting. Pull each string through the peg until the branch is bent over so the tip points at the ground.. tie the strings tight there. Alternatively tie rocks on the stings and pull the branch down until it threatens to lift the rock.

Thanks RB! That is done to increase fruiting, isn’t it? So, you wouldn’t think at that age/size, it needs to be pruned at all?

Not really but at the same time you want to start developing the tree now and where else to start but at the bottom? Personally, I’d graft a couple more varieties on, about now or in August..

Have passed that on, cheers RB!