Pruning Old Fruit Trees - Reinvigorating Old Trees

[@michaeldougfir9807]

Greetings from northeastern California. This video is very timely. It is nearly winter here in apple and pear country. I have been an arborist since the 1980s. Your teaching is good. I found no fault with your class. My late wife was British, so I also enjoyed hearing that speech again. I miss that. And special thanks to you for discouraging the painting of pruning wounds with a wound sealer. You spoke correctly that such preparations will seal in certain troubles. Very few teachers will make that clear statement. This video aparently has been posted for quite some time, so I am not certain you will look in here for comments. But I hope you do. It is my wish to encourage you. Now I am off to prune a very large, neglected apple tree. Thanks for the refresher course. Michael.

[@yonmusak]

Very interesting, thanks! So few videos (or even literature) seem available for older, out of management fruit trees. I have a massive overgrown apple tree growing thick vertical branches out from it's old pollard framework. So many spoons to be carved once I've got it down, and I'm hoping it might produce decent eaters in a few years.

[@peterwhelan6144]

What a great teacher - I have subscribed as we have just bought an old farm in Australia with some very old fruit trees which have been well and truly left go . A lot of tender loving care is needed - hope I’m up to it .!!!

[@bandypeterson]

This was bar far the quirkiest and MOST HELPFUL video I've watched so far for older trees. I can say this after getting quite a bit of real-life experience and coaching on vastly different apple trees (sizes/ages) and have checked out dozens of videos and articles/books. So many other videos treat the trees like a programmable computer, and this guy at least admits he's working with a living, decision-making thing, and even remembers that deer are involved. Unless you are running a fully industrialized orchard, you are entering into a dance with the myriad effects of nature. You only get to do one small part of the dance. Loved the extra education on tree health stuff too! Give the tree the best chance you can, cut decisively, and see what happens!

[@havfaith56]

you didn't listen to the full explanation. He was showing the damage that would be done by not under cutting.

[@davidmccord2799]

bandypeterson is

[@tomjervis7403]

Bryn Thomas should know better!!! just watch the video silky saw accident, 300.000 people now think you don't need glove's, these saw's are razor sharp!! I now where chain saw glove's

[@ie8443]

@@tomjervis7403 You should really just stop using apostrophes at all.

[@coelacanth9821]

bandypeterson -good comment. it's perplexing why it invoked idiotic replies!

[@annabananna44]

THANK YOU!!! Greatly appreciate the time you took to share this with the world! I learned alot this morning in Prescott AZ.

[@WmArthur]

I lived in Prescott for a few years and enjoyed it! I'm in Washington State now, the Evergreen State and love it even more! Az is beautiful in it's own way! We have lots of apple trees up here! Bless you and your pruning!

[@Ursaminor31]

Well done- I appreciate the hopeful attitude of trying to encourage revitalization

[@briandoyle6188]

Can this fella upload more recent videos, please..found him informative,easy to watch and funny...get your phone out and do vlogs starting now a new year 2020..Mr tree cutter,pruner...

[@equineandcountryproperties6241]

With 53 oldish apple trees in my farm orchard, I was very happy to find this very informative discussion. I am currently trying to prolong the life of some on my favorite apple varieties.

[@williamterry3177]

Thank you for the lesson. It would be great to see a update, 5 years later, how did this tree recover, or was it just too far gone.

[@necthar123go]

William Terry good idea

[@ipo543210]

just a reminder that referring to seasons is a lot easier - as some of us are in the southern hemisphere :) when months are used as a reference it is the complete opposite season here :) not a biggy

[@kestrelfeather]

A good lesson in pruning old trees. I've been pruning for 40 years and agree with what is said in the video. It would be interesting to see what would happen if that second big branch is cut out (the one with the damage along it's side, I do agree with the 1/3 equation though). I'm dealing with some old apple trees here (upwards of 80 years old) and I'm pruning out some large branches on occasion (over the years). It's always a mystery as to how the tree will respond to pollarding (cutting large branches) but no doubt it's worth a try at salvaging and rejuvenating (if that word can be used with such old wood) trees that have wanted fruit and a respected place in our orchards.

[@sagetrail1]

Urban Gardner

[@ElectricityTaster]

It's even more important to save old trees if they are old varieties that are all but forgotten.

[@ricosaurus]

Trying to keeping a couple of nearly a century old apple and pear trees going on our property for their landscape and aesthetic value, and hopefully ability to produce more fruit. We have space for plenty of young trees -- this is helpful as far as what an old tree might tolerate and eventually appreciate. Thanks.

[@tattagurainvestmentsltd2837]

Thanks alot for your contributions.

[@helenaterlezki4347]

Thank you for no nonsense explanation....

[@michellec9368]

Thanks for the info in US S Calif and getting ready to prune my old apple tree that hasn't been done in years. Also 4 years later and would like to see update if tree did in deed benefit and decide to stay around another decade or two?

[@BrightonpermacultureOrgUk]

This was filmed at Stanmer Park, Brighton, in mid-winter (January). For more information on pruning, the best tools and recommended reading, visit the course web page: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk/pruning

[@tomjervis7403]

Your man need's to resit the course before he cut's his hand off!!

[@f00lungs85]

It's a shame that there's no more related videos on this channel; It seems to have been overtaken by something else…

[@stockvillage2397]

It's also worth pointing out that if there is a small hollowed bit with a suitable gap however low down, there could be a bat or two in there, they have been known to get between the buttresses at the bottom of trees

[@russramos4667]

Couldn't you nick/notch the leader branch just above those whippy water shoots to encourage more growth from them? I think there is probably plenty of root to support good response in the spring if you go ahead and cut off the less healthy of the two remaining branches straight away. The leaves on the third branch should be able to provide plenty of photosynthesis to support what is left and what you're trying to grow.

[@coelacanth9821]

excellent video. Thank you! i'm happy to know some others who are part of bigger operations than my own approach the trees as i do: with respect. nice delivery too... i do wish the volume was up a bit. had my prehistoric laptop all the way up and toward the end i simply couldn't get it all.

[@michaeldunn6407]

fantastic lesson on pruning in general

[@johnburge8055]

Michael Jackson Du 66

[@lee-eb2cn]

Would it be better to remove this tree for two reasons first can what ever it has will it affect other trees? Second by removing this tree and putting in a new tree will it be better for a big harvest, since it takes years to get fruit. Which balance makes more sence?

[@dori10]

Interesting video, you've could use a piece of chalk or coal to point out the delimitating lines.

[@royferguson5075]

Is the grass so close to the trees not a problem?

[@michaelblack3136]

Very good imfo, thank you

[@angrybees8122]

This practice is actually very common in viticulture =)

[@timraven9305]

Is it okay to prune in April, if you are just learning or better to wait until the summer?

[@clintondiy]

This is one good demonstration! I have a Logan tree with one bad branch. Would you mind contacting me? I need some advice on how to fix this bad cut.

[@alpineflauge909]

awesome

[@shizukana]

寒さで枯れたのですか？

[@dicktracy436]

Thanks for the video. nice vest

[@inhibited44]

Why are the trees so huge? Other videos show the trees kept to 5 or 6 ft tall.

[@sspiby]

talk about cleaning yor saw (parasites fungal infection)

[@anekainfo1710]

Very good

[@royhoco5748]

how old does a fruit tree have to be before it is considered an old fruit tree?

[@nathanreed3857]

our trees are drownding from the way we create are rains, too low of an elevation and it forcing water up the centers.

[@shahidislam4335]

Are these trees on seedling or rootstock

[@jessicahostetler7906]

I have 2 figs trees that are overgrown they stand about 16 ft is it ok if I prune it way back?

[@angelap6343]

No, not if it is a Desert King or you will get NO FIGS the following year. Generally, though, if the figs are so high they can't be reached, then prune 25% way back every year.

[@adamambrus5855]

Did it sprout next spring? Or did you simply cut out a tree?

[@stevegibbons7211]

I have a plum tree that has set fruit for the first time, they have been set about 10 days will lthey survive a frost?

[@Antnelson13]

also where is this filmed? Trying to figure out how this could work for us

[@Antnelson13]

When are you pruning? Is it spring here?

[@mandofan2616]

interesting, thanks

[@jonathantolhurst1724]

Good heart. No idea. Gob Bless Him.

[@hosoiarchives4858]

Fill that field with wood chips and they'll come back to life

[@peterfullerton4028]

the chap that offered a hand propping up was correct as there was no undercut performed.

[@FireHill16]

he was demonstrating the wrong way to do it, on a branch that was coming off two minutes later.

[@treksandpreps]

get a silkie saw. but cool lesson

[@victordaniamandi]

you need a Felco saw

[@kidringo1257]

are chainsaws now banned in the UK?

[@powerup9035]

When pruning secateurs are better than a saw and a saw is better than a chainsaw. Now go search why

[@1967davidfitness]

Why didn't he cut correctly with undercuts? What do I learn from this video? Either do it right or leave it.

[@coelacanth9821]

undercuts are not always the best way, as he demonstrates. if you can do it without it ripping (ie 11:15) an undercut only increases the chances of an unclean cut.

[@bpj1805]

Did you even listen to the video at all? He explains why he did what he did.

[@1967davidfitness]

@@bpj1805 The sound was awful and he destroyed that tree!

[@commonconservative7551]

how about pouring some iodine into deep wounds.....maybe shove a vacuum into the hole first , remove debris, then fill with something like clay or something that won't kill a chainsaw in the future

[@aqabdulaziz]

Great accent, mate.

[@olddave4833]

do what I say, not what I do, always use a paring knife when skinning a cow

[@ThundermanDeadEndScribes]

3:47

[@XaViEr3520]

Get yourself a battery operated reciprocating saw, they sell the blades for pruning branches. Work smarter not harder!

[@wwsuwannee7993]

I have a saw just like this fellow but with a full handle. They are not hard at all to use.......draw only, and presto your through an eight inch branch. And I'm a fat older fellow out of shape and breath, but I don't have a hard time using a proper pruning saw.........and the battery never goes dead...... yet lol :)

[@bigt8590]

Nah, a new silky saw goes through green wood like butter.

[@FrankEdavidson]

Has the grass sucked up all the nutrients? Your small saw won't last long!

[@hetchman1221]

what has happened to the human male?

[@joem2745]

The Borg got him.

[@MiltonWarmikael-o1m]

Sir..can you let it fall? Lol

[@trumpetflowerII]

Whether intentional or not you have not made anything better but much worse, and that has to do with understanding the physiology of pruning. Is that what you are teaching? You were correct when you said RHS: cut it down and start again. But also, where you touch on the collar, which technically is cambium, a collar can not form at the cut diameter, as it will decay from the face to the ground. To me, for home gardeners, there's too much conflicting information, and 14:00 you convinced me that what you believe is invigorating is a killer form of pruning. That is, my opening remark: you are not making anything better but worse.

[@JeffBourke]

need a new pruning saw

[@robsellick1556]

oh wow this is prob the most f_ _ ked up funniest thing ive ever seen

[@jarrodjoyce6892]

JARROD Rod Joyce from PELICAN La, 🙏👍💩👁️

[@sabyjpinto]

Voice is too low. Hardly audible.

[@Oceanism]

10:04 haha

[@rocky5726]

I'm really thankful you don't work on any of my fruit trees, Your method really has a lot to be desired. The tree in this video is full of canker and needs cutting off a ground level in hope that you eliminate the canker, and get fresh growth from the small stump that does not contain canker. If it does then the tree needs removing and burning along with the root system.

[@spirittimber]

your prunning saw is in disaster shape.. but anyway, good video !

[@taargustaargus3139]

Dumeass

[@tomjervis7403]

No gloves!! what a poor teacher.

[@xyzllii]

Bit of a laborious know all. Just get on with it...I lost interest.

[@kenclark9652]

Haha, is this guy doing standup comedy? He's terrible at pruning.

[@suzannehollinshead9681]

Got sooooo bored watching him, gave up !!!