North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Thomas Olenio" <tolenio@sentex.net>]

 

Hello,

 

Here are my pruning rules…

 

1)              If you remember to do it, take out all water sprouts in late August, early September.

 

2)              Wait for late February or early March

 

3)              If it points to the sky take it out

 

4)              If it rubs another branch take it out

 

5)              If it is diseased or damaged take it out

 

6)              If it points directly at the ground take it out

 

7)              If it is growing in the wrong direction, head it back to a bud that does face the direction you want (I tend to think to myself “give me choices” at that pruning point)

 

8)              If a branch ends in multiple leaders prune out the stronger leader, leaving the single weaker leader that is going in the direction you want (these are the “choices” you asked for the previous pruning season)

 

9)              Always choose the weaker leader all other things being equal

 

10)        Keep the tree within the size limits you chose, not what it wants for you are the boss

 

Those are my ten rules.  Did I miss any?

 

Later,

Tom