I have an apple tree (not sure about the type or if it produces fruit on older or newer growth) with some branches that have no leaves at all. I'm wondering if I should go ahead and remove these branches this season since they show no signs of life—no leaves or fruit. What do you think?
2 Answers
A good trick to check if the branches are alive is to scratch the bark lightly. If you see green underneath, the branch is alive. If it's brown, it’s dead and can be removed. It's a good way to assess which branches are worth keeping or not!
The age and variety of your apple tree matter a lot here! Some apple varieties can bear fruit on 1, 2, or even 3-year-old wood. For instance, with Bramley's, folks often struggle to get them to fruit because they accidentally prune too much older wood. On the flip side, varieties like Egremont Russet fruit on last year's wood. So, if you prune too aggressively, you might be removing potential fruiting wood. Also, certain apples like Worcester Pearmain need new growth to produce the following year. It's all about knowing your tree!
Thanks for the insight! This tree is pretty old, came with the house, and I've heard that the neighboring land has a bit of an orchard from the 1920s. I'm curious if anyone could help identify it.
Interesting tips! I pruned my Worcestershire Pearmain last autumn, and it yielded zero fruits this year. Meanwhile, my Bramley is producing plenty of apples, as usual!
Oops, I made a typo in my original question about the branches! Thanks for the tip! I tried bending the branches, and they seemed flexible instead of snapping off. I’ll definitely give the bark-scratch test a try tomorrow.