How and when do I prune Apple Trees?

Question

I have three apple trees on my property that have become naturalized. One Mac, One Spy, and one Golden Delicious.

They have not been pruned in over 10 years and have scale and other diseases. How much should I prune them and when. Presently the local deer clean up the crop so I don't have a problem with leaving them alone but my Grand kids would enjoy one of Grandpa's apples.

Answer 1

Aggressive pruning is not a good idea.  Spread this work out over 5 years to prevent water shoot formation.  You can remove any dead or damaged limbs whenever the saw is sharp, but corrective pruning needs to be done in spring and early summer.  Apples tend to develop water shoots if pruned to heavily in the late winter/early spring, so some pruning is also permitted in early summer.

Scale can be treated now with horticultural oil sprays.  The heavier dormant oil sprays are too dense for foliage and are applied when leaves not present.  Fall is a good time and again in late winter.  If you suspect diseases, lime sulfur sprays in late winter as well.....I hate that stuff, it always  gets on me and burns, but good for diseases.  Both the oil and lime sulfur will help with the codling moth problem do be sure to spray the trunks.  Tell those deer to keep chomping to discourage overwintering insects.  

Contact your local Cooperative Extension agent to see if they have more info on apple culture for you.  Actually, there's a wealth on the internet now as most bulletins are now downloadable.  For example:

  http://extension.unh.edu/Pubs/HGPubs/car...