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nafex - [NAFEX] Apple Dormant Pruning

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  • From: Alan Haigh <alandhaigh@gmail.com>
  • To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [NAFEX] Apple Dormant Pruning
  • Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2011 11:14:47 -0500

Ginda noted "dormant-season pruning, in and of itself, tends to foster a
continual cycle of watersprout-type growth, in my limited experience."

The way I look at it is, the tree wants to do one thing- which is create
such a dense canopy that almost no sun reaches the ground, probably to
discourage competition. Such a dense canopy cannot be efficient, as any
leaves receiving less than 30% exposure are said to deprive the tree of more
energy than they harvest.

You want to do another- open up the tree enough to assure good light
exposure throughout the tree, creating high quality fruit throughout. It is
a dance you only get to lead when you are actively pruning- water sprouts
will follow come spring, no matter when you prune- winter or summer. The
cycle is inevitable when growing apples on vigorous root stocks.



  • [NAFEX] Apple Dormant Pruning, Alan Haigh, 04/29/2011

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