How to Prune Apple Trees | Tips for Pruning Espaliered Apple Trees

It's that time of year again and I'm ready to get out there and show you how to prune apple trees one more time. We'll go over some tips for pruning espaliered apple trees for fruit production as well as shaping them. These pruning techniques will also apply to standard upright growing apple trees.
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[@TheMillennialGardener]

I hope my apple and pear trees look as good as yours one day. The form is excellent.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks man. Yours will be there too. I think these have been in ground for around 6 years, maybe a little longer.

[@campbellpaul]

Apple tree pruning is an art unto itself! Thank you for furthering our collective knowledge on the subject, Mr. K, it is much appreciated!

[@MikeKincaid79]

You’re welcome, Paul. It’s definitely good to share experiences. We all get better that way

[@alandrury9955]

Thanks for my annual pruning fix! Gives me confidence I'm on the right lines with my two trees over here. If your trees were my trees I think I'd leave the lower branches in. They might not be fruiting much now, but once the tree is older I think they'll join in. And given the amount of fruit you got last year I can't see those lower branches are robbing very much if anything at all. Plus if you chop them out you won't be able to replace them and you'll be moving away from that classic espailier look. It's your call, I'll be interested to see what you decide and why

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks Alan, I appreciate the insight.

[@chriswoodruff8092]

Excellent video! You have a great communication style!

[@camicri4263]

Hi Mike! Is February 6 today 🤣🤣🤣(could not resist the smart remark) Lucky, I love apples! I planted some, will see! At the other house I didn't have any fruit, hopefully will have some here. Please 🙏 for me, dad is home on hospice and is so sad. I have been stressing about it and my husband had a heart attack in Nov, I was in the er almost a month ago, my blood pressure is so high....ugh! Praise God for He strengthens me every moment. Great video, good to see you like always! Hugs and blessings 🤗💞🤗

[@MikeKincaid79]

LOL, I have to quit telling you guys the date. I can never seem to get these videos out on time, hahaha.

[@camicri4263]

That's ok, just need to say the filming date.🤣

[@wildbullfrog957]

Starting my first espaliered apple trees this year. Thanks for the winter pruning tips.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Prune baby prune! Have fun.

[@PlantObsessed]

This is very timely. I just tore out my 40 foot old apple trees. Time to start over. This seems way more manageable. Thanks 👍🏼

[@MikeKincaid79]

That's commitment! I'm about to tear out an old tree too.

[@beckyschlegel6777]

I’ve pruned my central branches out more to promote side growth. Thanks for the bud - I’ve had a hard time finding espalier systems.

[@ChocolateMelanin]

Perfect timing, I was looking at my apple & pear tree today. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@MikeKincaid79]

Time to prune!

[@colkelwil6503]

Thanks for your inspiration Mike. I have two pear trees that I want to plant in a limited space. Planting them in the espalier style is exactly the answer to the issue. Blessings to you and those you love!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Exactly why I prune mine this way. Plus, you have the added benefit of being able to reach the fruit.

[@wordvendor1]

That is a beautiful thing, Mike. 💜

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks!

[@ranmia5522]

Luv all u do for kindness to teach.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Glad you're here to learn!

[@stephaniehill655]

Yeah I'm agreeing with you about trimming the bottom branches due to the fact they are not producing well. And I like the idea about running it with the fencing I'm going to try that

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks Stephanie! I think the trees will look better too.

[@RanchExplorerHQ]

Thanks Mike, it helps me with my fruit trees and grapes!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Right on! Speaking of grapes, I need to do cuttings again this year.

[@gromageindustries6745]

I'd leave the lower T branches, you've reduced the apical vigor which will distribute the auxin through the whole of the tree and will help give vigour to the bottom branches and therefore more fruit. I wouldnt say the bottom branching will rob the upper branching, I'd say they would give more vigour to the tree over all and more apples as there will be more leaves doing their thing to be able to grow and sustain more fruit. More leaves, more growth all over. Once the lower branching sprouts are 2 years old you will get more fruit spurs growing. They also look right, imagine them gone, there will be a big unnecessary un optomised space under the top T branching. For every reason I'd leave them. Beautiful trees by the way 🙏

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks for your thoughts on the matter. It's a tough decision and that's why I'm waiting to make it. If I remove them, it would take a long time to get them back.

[@shariatiehsan]

@@MikeKincaid79 Maybe remove one or two trees and use this as an opportunity to experiment and learn and make a video about it? :)

[@SAGAWISIW30]

You've got the wrong root stock

[@lukeott58]

Thanks a bunch Mike. As always excellent work and great job of explaining what you’re doing. It sure helps.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Glad you're here, Luke!

[@steverobinson5492]

Mike, Thanks for the vid. Nice job!!! My vote would be to keep the first scaffold. Those branches will provide much needed photo synthesis for a heavily ladened fruit set. And seems to me that espalier is a heavily pruned tree. Each tree just might benefit from those little solar panels (leaves) even if the branches themselves do not set much fruit. I am no expert...... just a guess on my part. Cheers!!!!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks 👍 and good point. Something to consider.

[@mustafaahmed1918]

Thanks dear, Mike you give new techniq about apple 🍎 treatment Thanks

[@Paul-Coburn]

Great looking orchard Mike.

[@mtlefty8687]

I'd love to see a video on how Mrs. K. makes and preserves the apple pie filling. Yum!

[@MikeKincaid79]

I told her! We've got more than we know what to do with right now. Maybe next fall I'll help film her doing it.

[@mulhertementeadeus4639]

Thank you for the informative video. I'm ready to go out to the garden and do some pruning on my apples and pears, espalier trees. :)

[@MikeKincaid79]

Me too! It’s that time of year.

[@darlatidwell6255]

Wow, they look great. 👍 Wonderful job. 👍🍎 🥧. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks Darla!

[@jodalry]

Thanks for a great video. I’m about to set up some apple and pear trees as espalier and found your video exceptionally helpful. Liked and subscribed immediately! 👍🏻😎

[@MikeKincaid79]

Glad it was helpful! Good luck with your trees.

[@Paul-Coburn]

I like the pruning idea and the chicken fence.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks for the vote. I’m half expecting to hear a majority tell me not to cut them off so I’m glad to hear an upvote for it.

[@Paul-Coburn]

@@MikeKincaid79 I got your back Bud.

[@matthewkizziahcuzia...gott9632]

Thanks again for the info. And the "almost phobia" about pulling stubborn weeds, and messing up my hands.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Haha, glad you have a healthy fear now, I know I sure do. It's a real thing and I've got the bum finger to prove it, lol.

[@soonzach4017]

Wow, looking great Mike. Mr green thumb.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks!

[@patart]

Thanks so much for this Mike! I’ll be working on my 2 espalier soon and this is a great refresher!

[@MikeKincaid79]

No problem. They just keep getting better every year and look so beautiful. Good luck with your trees!

[@royboggs3849]

Extremly helpful, Mike! I think u r on lthe right track! 👌👌👍👍👏👏

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks Roy! I like how they're turning out. Think I'll try to keep on top of the summer pruning this year to prevent all the suckers. Still going back and forth about the lower branches.

[@nickjcage77]

Great video Mike! Your trees are looking super!! I'm trying to espalier my fig trees with this same technique. I vote you keep the lower branches.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks Nick, keeping them for now. I definitely want to do this with figs at some point. Have fun shaping your trees.

[@wildrangeringreen]

The shading issue is the reason for the "candelabra" form. A little late on your established trees, but if you plant any more, you could try that form. Establish your cordon between 12"-18", and then select an upright shoot roughly every foot down the cordon, grow those up to 7'-8'. Summer prune for light and air, and then prune the largest upright in the tree back to a 1"-2" stub every year after year 5. Commercial trials in NZ are showing between 160 and 190 metric tons (352,000-419,000 lbs) per hectare (2.47 acres) with this form utilizing roughly 7'x7' spacing. I'd prune out the bottom cordon on your trees, and plant Raspberries, Strawberries and Rhubarb under the "arms" of the trees.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Wow, interesting. I love the style that I pruned for but I'm always open to suggestion on training new trees. Thanks.

[@Adia.F]

Hi Mike, I’m new to planting fruit trees and just gardening in general but I’ve been enjoying learning about the espalier method. I’d like to request a video please: planting your new fruit tree and training it for espalier growing. Maybe a series of it please? Thank you so much.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Glad you enjoy the videos. I do plan to make a series about espaliered trees from start to finish. I was thinking about doing this with a fig tree.

[@Adia.F]

@@MikeKincaid79 that would be much appreciated! Thanks! Can’t wait!

[@agitaarista5488]

Thank you for all wonderful videos! I wish you showed few minutes close up doing the pruning- where do you actually cut and how do you decide which branches you get rid off and what you leave. That’s be helpful!

[@MikeKincaid79]

I’ve got more detailed videos about it.

[@davidbgood2801]

With all those suckers you have to prune they will be great if bagged, labeled and put in the refrigerator for grafts and such a lot of places have swaps for trading if you like to graft but they sell them also you do have a lot. They just have to be dormant when done.

[@ryanharvey1098]

Great tutorial! Thank you!

[@MikeKincaid79]

You're welcome, Ryan!

[@jacquelynreeves4685]

Great video! Hello from south western South Dakota!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Oooooh, that’s exactly where I want to plan our next long family trip. Want to see Mt Rushmore and everything in between. Thanks for watching!

[@robertlawrence5896]

Great help have old fruit trees cherry plum apples pear need to be appears brutal thanks rob

[@raquel201059]

If cutting that bottom row means more quality fruit.. then cut away !! Love the vid!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks for the vote Gio!

[@afriendofB]

Hey Mike, came home today and Monty Don was on talking about pruning his apples. I think your problem with your lower branches might be how you restrict the upper growth of the tips. Something to explore.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks, can you share the link to the video here?

[@hanna7644]

So helpful, thanks.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Great!

[@joepa6106]

😮 that's the most hard core apple and pear tree pruning I have ever seen .. I would cut the lower ones out next year .. you already too more than anyone would tell you is safe .. but I mean I would let them get a little taller like another 5 feet let them grow a little more and less pruning ... I got some 28 year old trees that are getting a good trimming this week

[@charismabambina5747]

Cool. Just like grapevines

[@jennybaez-cepeda4919]

Thank you so much for the video. I really enjoyed them. I was looking for your playlist for your winter derma spray recommendations my apples and pears got hit with all kinds of things last year, even though I did all my dormersdormers spray.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Pears and apples are tough. Some years it feels like you won't get a good crop no matter what you do. I actually don't spray mine with anything but probably should.

[@lobe2032]

Mike, I love those trees, wish you was here to help me get mine started, I do not have a clue where to begin, and I don't know if this will work on all kinds if trees. I have peach, apple that has 3 different kinds of apples on it, pomergranate, etc.Love the video, and love to to you and the family❣️💖💖💖

[@MikeKincaid79]

It's so much easier than most people think, just takes time. You just need a wire to train the branches. Start by picking 2 branches and bending them along the wire, then tie to the wire. The rest just takes time. My trees started as regular trees with regular branching. I planted them in the ground, next to the wire. Then I just bent the best branches toward the wire.

[@jingjingquinones]

Hi, I'm a new subscriber here. Thank you for that informative pruning video. Maybe I should prune my apple tree which I planted out from a seed. I thought it was from a gala apple seed but it came out like green. Last year finally it turned yellowish some were light red like a gala apple. But I should trim it so it won't grow taller that I couldn't reach it anymore. So the best time to trim it is when there's no more leaves so I could see the branches well.

[@MikeKincaid79]

There's winter pruning and summer pruning and they achieve different purposes. I've got some videos about it: Winter Pruning: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6jFdGyCnrl8gKc Summer Pruning: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3nPY6SagsyfZpI

[@theoverworkedgardener5648]

I'm glad to see you're branching out from the figs for a minute. But I know you will fig-ure your way back to it. Lol

[@MikeKincaid79]

LOL

[@robertdurkin7596]

Awesome 👌 video..your wife should make apple 🍎 pies as good in crispy cover, as hope that you ll getting bright red apples in about 500,000, sell them in each baskets 🧺! Good job, Mike!😉👍🎸🎶🇺🇲❤️

[@MikeKincaid79]

I love her apple pies!

[@DaveTheHillsideGardener]

Can you show us your deer fencing and how you protect your trees? The deer destroyed everything here

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yeah, I'll put a video together.

[@robinm269]

Thanks :)

[@baldyeti]

I believe you’d have to do some pretty hard cutbacks on your upper scaffolding to drive energy back to the lower scaffolding & defeat that topical dominance. I say cut them and get your chicken run in. I sure do dig this espalier apple series, brother. I hope you get some time this summer to teach us (well, teach me anyway) about the summer pruning. Especially then “when” and the “why”

[@MikeKincaid79]

I'll plan it for ya

[@justin1730]

If you want to thicken up the scaffolds, consider festooning the branches in Summer in place of pruning. Pruning during the growing season results in less scaffold wood. Festooning will still get you all the fruiting spurs you want, without sacrificing vigor. You can hang ornaments if that is your thing, but I prefer used water bottles and twine.

[@MikeKincaid79]

My Dad use to do that with his apple trees. I'm going for a specific look with these trees and the festooning would destroy that look. I think I'm going to be less lazy this summer and pinch the new growth as it begins, while selecting for fruit spurs.

[@stevenfrey8034]

Mike, if you cut off the lower branches, all that energy will go to the rest of the tree. Great idea.

[@MikeKincaid79]

That's exactly what I'm thinking. Those lower branches have been teasing me with promises of production and beauty for years but continue to under-perform. Thanks for the vote.

[@DeeB17]

love it. do you know what type rootstock these are on? would be great to see how the trellis was built too!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Not sure of the exact rootstock but they’re dwarf.

[@michelleadriaans5760]

Hi Mike, I’m a total newbie, yet to plant my trees, but with limited space I’m so keen to get espalier method going 😊 cheers for your insight from a new subscriber from Down Under 🇦🇺🦘

[@MikeKincaid79]

Hey Michelle, glad you're getting into espaliered trees. They are such a beautiful way to prune fruit trees and are perfect for limited space. Thanks for hanging out with us on the channel and I wish you the best of luck. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

[@zaviahopethomas-woundedsou9848]

I would prune the lower branches on one tree and see how it impacts fruit production. They may need the leaves to help feed the fruit. Then if it did not impact the fruit production I would trim off all the lower branches.

[@MikeKincaid79]

That's a good thought. I'm still not sure and am anguishing over this one, haha. The older the trees get, the less those bottom branches look good and add to the beauty.

[@icee7167]

Great video! You have those lower branches so nice and even though. How about this middle ground option? Leave for one more year. Do summer pruning thoroughly to allow more light in. If no fruit spurs on lower branches this time next year, then they go away. How many years have you been waiting for the lower branches to produce? Hard to go wrong. They look great with or without lower branches. Long time watcher, new subscriber. Thanks for the great info you share and being so personable!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks so much for being here! I've been working on these trees for probably close to 6 years now, maybe even longer. There's something I haven't liked about the lower branches for a couple years and they don't seem to fit the trees as much as the upper branches thicken. I appreciate your vote and will consider heavily.

[@dreaminggreennursery]

Love this video Mike just in time for Scion wood pruning! I still have to do mine, I don't have as much as you do lol. Kinda scared me with as heavy as you pruned them, but like you said your still framing it out. Looks like we will be learning together as we go, it will be interesting to see how they fill back out! I am curious to see what you do with the bottom branches. Thanks for your time and your knowledge, keep em coming! I also have a stockpile of videos Ive been working on coming out. I can't wait for spring!

[@RCCRAYZ]

I’m with him mike🧏‍♂️, what he said 🙋‍♂️😅😂 lol

[@MikeKincaid79]

Scared me a little too, lol. Gotta get these trees under control or I'll be pruning branches twice as thick next winter. I need to get off my butt in the summer and do more summer pruning to prevent all the suckers.

[@makdagoogle5544]

Thank you for your great educational videos. What do you spray to keep your fruits healthy?

[@MikeKincaid79]

I have never sprayed these trees. I am thinking about spraying for codling moths this summer.

[@МирУспех]

​@@MikeKincaid79у вас такие компактные деревья, что их легко можно накрыть мелкой сеткой на время лета плодожорки чтобы не использовать химические препараты. Успеха вам.

[@matthewkizziahcuzia...gott9632]

If you do decide to remove the lower branches, you should air layer them. Then make more apple fencing.

[@MikeKincaid79]

I hadn't even considered that but that's a great idea.

[@darlingclementine99]

Brilliant video thank you!

[@mikedan297]

All the sap has been used up by the upper branches, so the lower branches are weakened. You may need to control the top growth during the summer to allow more light and sap for the lower branches if you want to keep them.

[@MikeKincaid79]

That's in interesting thought. Maybe I need to continue heavy pruning through the year so that the energy doesn't all go to suckers.

[@Ditchgrl]

A c cut under the top joints might help control the growth.

[@randymeyer8624]

That 's the first thing I thought of too. Those dense upper branches are cutting the amount of light going to the lower branches.

[@lowellalia9876]

I would like to see the results you achieve on this pruning session like from pruning to fruit harvesting so one can see the stages of fruit production. It could be a lot of work for you on editing though.

[@MikeKincaid79]

I don't mind the editing work. I'll put my mind to it.

[@lizsurbanroost3624]

Do you have a video on starting espalier trees? I plan on getting pears and peach this spring, if I can find the variety of apple I want I'll be getting that too. I am excited that I found out about this method because I've always wanted fruit trees but never had space for them, learning about this has opened that door for me. My local garden center sells bare root trees in the spring and that's what I plan on getting if I can.

[@MikeKincaid79]

That's what I started with, bare root trees. I don't have a video about the training of these trees because I wasn't doing KZbin back them. It's easy to do though, you just need to pick the best branches and bend them over, attaching to a wire.

[@lizsurbanroost3624]

@@MikeKincaid79 Thanks :) And I'm guessing cut the leader at the height you want the tree to stay? How many years did it take before you got fruit? The bare root trees at my garden center that didn't sell got potted up and I saw them with apples on them already when I went in mid/late summer, I was surprised cause I figured they wouldn't bare fruit the first year.

[@rodordie]

Holy cow that was a lot of pruning...

[@MikeKincaid79]

Sure was

[@highlandhoneybee]

I'd leave the lower branches for another year, then reassess at that time.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks for the vote

[@brettdillon9072]

I would give it another season or two, before pruning. Now that you thinned out the low hanging branches, they might start producing more. As you say...you can always cut them out later...

[@MikeKincaid79]

Very true, and I think that's what has caused me to hesitate so far. I can always cut them out but can't glue them back on, lol.

[@yourwardrobewhisperer4606]

I'd like to start an espallier orchard. Do you have a video of when you first planted these trees and their initial pruning to create the shape you want?

[@MikeKincaid79]

I wish I did but I wasn't on KZbin much at the time. This was 6 or 7 years ago and I didn't film it. I will be planting more fruit trees in the same style so I'll film that.

[@colleenfrantz7036]

can I make a regular multi apple tree into esparlier?? ;) what a GREAT video..FULL of help, THANK YOU ;)

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes, for sure. You might get branches that grow at different rates due to the different cultivars but you can still do this.

[@MapEffects]

Very helpful video Mike, thanks for doing this! Love what you’re creating. The production on those trees is crazy. Do you think this makes the apples more productive because it maximizes sunlight and airflow compared to standard spacing but with say trees still pruned to this shorter height?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Sunlight and air flow play a big part but I think pruning over time is the biggest factor. The roots continue to grow and have an easy time supporting a well managed tree, as well as all the fruit.

[@Ditchgrl]

I agree , an espalier will look off with out the lower branches.

[@susanmullenix9341]

Hi Mike, love the video! If they were my trees, I would leave the lower level. As you said it is an art form and I'm sure it would be more beautiful in the spring with the 2 layers of flowers. A bit off topic, do you have any suggestions how to protect apple trees from codling moth? I am in Grand Junction, Colorado and this is a real problem here. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[@MikeKincaid79]

There are sprays to help with this. Unfortunately, it's a problem everywhere.

[@dvssayer5621]

Great video. I have one espelliar apple! No frut yt after two yrs in ground. Well when i bought it at the nursery it had one apple on it so i THOUGHT it should be ready to make apples! The next yr. Question! How long can u let the branches spread lengthwise on the wires? Ive stopped mine at about 4 ft or so, wonder how long you should let them spread across the fence line?

[@MikeKincaid79]

It’s really up to you. Mine are 10 feet long from end to end but they’re pretty long and a lot of weight hangs from them. 4 feet sounds good.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Mine took a few years to reliably fruit.

[@scooternelson8460]

Leaving the lower levels gives something for young children to Harvest, when they are helping in the orchard.

[@MikeKincaid79]

I originally thought the same but my girls have long since grown to the height of the upper branches. Maybe I should leave them for grandkids. Hard to imagine now but I suppose I'll be there someday.

[@SiSwitzer]

You’ve made a fantastic feature of those fruit trees, looks flipping awesome! I have to prune my apple tree back but I also wanted to move from a large pot into the ground, should I not do both do you think? One of the other or maybe prune then leave it a while before moving it? Thanks Mike, great content👍

[@MikeKincaid79]

You can so it all during the dormant season. The first year I planted these, that's what I did. I planted them in soil and pruned them the way I wanted them. They are basically giant dormant hardwood cuttings but with roots attached already. Go for it!

[@sarapeterson3622]

Beautiful trees! I started 2 espaliers in my backyard this last spring, but I cut my thumb (same thing you did to your pinkie), so I couldn't wrap them... Rabbits girdled them all the way around 😢 So I'll be planting new trees this spring

[@MikeKincaid79]

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that Sara. I hope you didn't cut the tendon. That would be devastating on a thumb. Heal up quick.

[@sarapeterson3622]

@Mike Kincaid I cut through the tendon, nerve, and artery...so surgery and everything after. Your videos on that were so helpful! All good now. Limited use, but hopefully, I can do all my gardening again.

[@romieuxii]

Do you do summer pruning. The growth looks like a lot for summer pruning. Thnx

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes, I usually do, and you should.

[@natemurphy4367]

I think the bottom branches provide shade for the tree it’s self maybe less watering

[@MikeKincaid79]

Shellie and I were out there a couple days ago and she shot down my idea of cutting the bottom branches off, lol.

[@natemurphy4367]

@@MikeKincaid79 it looks better even if there isn’t fruit

[@catchemalive]

Mike, how did the apple trees do last fall making apples after you pruned them so hard? Thanks

[@MikeKincaid79]

Not many apples after pruning so hard but I plan to get the summer pruning in this year so I can get back to good crops.

[@BRIANLIMBARO]

❤

[@tims_hobbyshop]

Thanks again for your pruning tips! My vote would be to take out the lower branches. Especially if you get enough fruit already. But if someone only had one or two trees, it would be fine to leave them as long as they get enough light.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks Tim! I was ready to prune them off and then my wife pulled out her veto powers, Haha.

[@tims_hobbyshop]

@Mike Kincaid today is a very good day to heed the input of your wife! Besides, the way you have them trellaced they should get plenty of light.

[@SAGAWISIW30]

That looks like a grape vine pruning style

[@blessedmommad7736]

Would you suggest the same for peaches that you did for the apples? Thanks💐 I’d trim the bottom branches just so the upper branches can get the nutrients

[@MikeKincaid79]

I'm thinking the same. As far as peaches, you can prune them to shape just like these apples. I've never personally done it but I have the peach trees and plan on starting that project soon.

[@blessedmommad7736]

@@MikeKincaid79 perfect! Thanks! As soon as weather permits I’m going to be a busy lady🤭💐

[@jamiet9132]

I wouldn't prune the lower level yet give it a few more years. Don't forget to you can selectively reduce fruit thru the season. I leave a good amount on the branch and as the summer goes by I check them and take out any fruit that has blemishes or marks or bug bites. Trying to leave 1 to 2 fruit that can ripen

[@MikeKincaid79]

I probably should thin the fruit through the season.

[@yochanontheseeker1942]

Do you dormant spray them at all? I’m here in PNW also and we have a lot of problems w the cuddle moth, how about you?

[@MikeKincaid79]

I have never sprayed them with anything since planting. Yes, I do struggle with cuddle moth and may start spraying for it at some point. I really don't like the idea of spraying my trees and have tried to wait it out but it has been a problem.

[@theodoreramwell]

Update please!

[@russramos4667]

Love your fruit tree videos! I wonder if your lower branches are less productive due to less sun exposure. Are your support lines oriented N-S? An E-W orientation would expose more of the lower leaves to full mid-day sun exposure over the course of the growing season. Is this rationale reasonable?

[@MikeKincaid79]

They’re oriented north/south. Just the way it worked out as this was an old cattle fence line. That’s an interesting thought about the midday sun being blocked in this orientation.

[@russramos4667]

@@MikeKincaid79 I read that the N-S orientation might work well in open areas like you have. Perhaps the upper rows are just getting more fruiting hormone from the leaves with more sun exposure. Then again, maybe a summer prune on the lower row could encourage more bud growth? I would try this for a couple years before deciding to remove the lower rows.

[@robertbrawley5048]

My opinion is to cut the beautiful formed upper cordon . And develop the lower cordon . On the other hand you got my permissoon to remove the lower cordon which are low enough to be decimated by groundhog s . Those guys will break the entire branches off to get to the low hanging fruit

[@MikeKincaid79]

No groundhogs in my region. My biggest problem is keeping the deer out.

[@yopeyopan6337]

Sir, what variety is that, do you sell cuttings, thank you sir

[@MikeKincaid79]

I have several varieties. Fuji, Gala, yellow delicious.

[@icewebhomestead]

Do you have to shape them like that?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes. I started with standard upright fruit trees and trained the branches along the wire.

[@marschlosser4540]

Donno about espalier, but that long Golden Dorsett was pruned last July and looks fine. The capulin cherry was prumed last month, but nothing off the citrus. One fig lost a lot of brush, tho. Too much nitrogen, mebbe. It's next to some mesquite. Nor am I pruning the grapes. Loquats must be planted ASAP! Same with the pistachio. Hasta, nieto!

[@MikeKincaid79]

We're getting to that time of year when there's more to do than we have time for, lol

[@marschlosser4540]

@@MikeKincaid79 Nope, plenty of time, as long as it 36 hour days and 17 day weeks LOL. Finally getting the solar food dryer together. Next up, get the wringer washer working, now that winter is over, shish! But, the rainwater tank needs to be be done ASAP. I'm praying for another monsoon season like the last two, plenty over average. Hasta, nieto!

[@weibullguy]

You convinced me to espalier my fruit trees and I'm getting excited to do my winter pruning! If I espalier, I can easily fit another 20 trees inside my curtilege for a total of 32 fruit trees. The only question now, do I graft my own or go bare root?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yep, you can fit way more in a smaller space doing it this way. As far as grafting, if you enjoy the process and want to pick your root stock then do the grafting. If you just want to get started and don't care about those details then buy bare root trees. I've done both.

[@weibullguy]

@@MikeKincaid79 The retirement plan is to buy or start an orchard, but focused on heirloom apples. So, I'm definitely going to be grafting at some point using the trees I already have. If I add a few new varieties, I'd probably do those bare root just so I could get to production a little sooner. I vote you keep the lower scaffold for this year at least to see if those branches you removed from the bottom of the top scaffolds will allow more light to the lower branch. But, I"m a statistician, so I don't like to make too many changes all at once 'cause then you can't determine what you did to improve or degrade plant health. Those branches you removed from the top scaffold was a big change. I'd want to see what impact that had before I made another major change. And, chickens are short. It looks like you have room already to put in a run under the trees.

[@davidbutton8497]

Nice work Mike. Hey have you ever grafted a 🍐 onto an apple 🍎 tree. Mixing things up a little. 🔮💓🔮🔭

[@MikeKincaid79]

I hate to say that anything is impossible but the 2 plants aren't genetically similar enough, and as far as I know, it's never been done.

[@Ditchgrl]

@@MikeKincaid79 I pretty sure there is a professor up at Syracuse University that created a salad tree with several types of fruit.

[@davidbutton8497]

@@Ditchgrl yes his name is Sam van aken. He’s famous for a tree called. Fourty in one. 40. -1

[@MikeKincaid79]

I've read about this and I think you're referring to the stone fruit tree. All the varieties are related. They are all stone fruits, like peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, etc.

[@ronniemcmaster8657]

Are you keeping any of your trimmings to use for cuttings?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Not from this pruning, but I've got another apple tree I intent to use.

[@ronniemcmaster8657]

@@MikeKincaid79 Nice! I will be pruning my fruit trees and collecting for cuttings this coming weekend. Here's to hoping al are successful!

[@iamseely1338]

Was wondering if you propagated the suckers and if they worked? If so could we see results?

[@MikeKincaid79]

I haven't done that yet but plan on doing it at some point this winter. I will film it when it happens.

[@iamseely1338]

@@MikeKincaid79 ok thank you

[@lobo11141]

Why haven’t you done a Japanese Maple propagation from cuttings?

[@MikeKincaid79]

I have, just haven't filmed it.

[@jamesjustice859]

Curious how far apart you put your posts on these trees?

[@MikeKincaid79]

There's either a wood post or a T-post every 10 feet. So each tree is spread out 10 feet. It's a little long and you will need wire support but it creates a really nice dramatic effect.

[@Buzzybeeacres]

Did you save any of the suck branches you pruned off to use as scions for new trees? I’m looking into grafting some this year

[@MikeKincaid79]

This was a year or 2 ago, and I didn't save any that year.

[@Buzzybeeacres]

@@MikeKincaid79 but those would have worked to graft with? I have 5 apple trees now that I need to do some pruning on. If I can get some rootstock I should be able to use the pruned branches to get new trees growing? Am I on the right track?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes, you’re on the right track and you can absolutely graft them. Just cut the scions while dormant, place in a gallon zip lock bag, and wait until spring. Once the rootstock starts showing signs of waking up, it’s time to graft.

[@Buzzybeeacres]

Awesome!! I just ordered rootstock and some scions yesterday

[@carminepetracca7518]

a very nice clip mike. i'd take the lower branches off. of course they are stealing from the upper limbs. amangare' mike.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Man, that's exactly what I'm thinking. Great minds think alike. Hope all is well with you Carmine.

[@carminepetracca7518]

@@MikeKincaid79- i've pulled a few muscles in my lower back and I'm having spasms. some are so bad I could scream. flexor and naproxen are my go-to meds. this happens every few months mike. i think chiropractic is my next approach. getting older is tough. cp.

[@carminepetracca7518]

be well, stay well yourself mike.

[@MikeKincaid79]

I hear ya. I'm on the starting end of getting old and beginning to understand what my Dad complained about 25 years ago, haha. Do you ever stretch your hamstring muscles? That's where most back pain comes from, tight hamstrings. Loosen them up over time and you may fix your back pain.

[@MikeKincaid79]

So I was really curious about that work you said "amangare' ". I looked it up in google translate and it looks like it's Zulu for "don't worry". Is that what you meant or was this a typo?

[@phillyhippie]

Does the fruit tree have to be of the dwarf variety?

[@MikeKincaid79]

No, not at all.

[@leroytobias]

can the cuttings be rooted ?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes

[@leroytobias]

@@MikeKincaid79 do you have any tips or even a video that would help me with rooting apple tree cuttings. I have tried several times and just end up with a mess! thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

[@Ditchgrl]

The the pears have the same issue (lower branches not producing?)

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes

[@Ditchgrl]

@@MikeKincaid79 it is so frustrating! Same with my espaliers !

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yep, I may just cut those branches off.

[@mariohernandez-wg6fb]

🙂