Pruning New Trees

[Wubomber]

Hello

I wondered if anyone would be kind enough to take a look at the photos of my apple and pear trees.

I planted them from Tescos about a year ago but didn't do any initial pruning as I didn't really know what I was doing. I've now read that you need to have a goblet shaped branches - about 5. I've pruned it down but still may have too many. Can anyone give me any comments?

[Lardman]

Any idea of the rootstock.

Id take off the low branch you've left on both. I assume you did that as they were full of bud? but they're really too low, best to concentrate on good form rather than a few low hanging fruit.

Id add another tie higher up to keep things straight and watch the branches don't rub on the stakes but other than that they look fine to me.

[Wubomber]

Thanks for your reply

The pear is a Williams I think and the apple Jonagold

I wasn't sure whether to keep those low ones or not, so it's helpful your comment that I should get rid of them.

I didn't feed them in the first year but have got some fish blood and bones now. Is now about the the right time to feed, or wait until it's a bit warmer?

[Wubomber]

Hi there

I've taken the advice you have given and pruned off all the low hanging branches - looks much better, so many thanks.

However one of my neighbours commented that my pear tree (which is the one in the left photo) has a main/leader branch which doesn't appear to be growing. The side branches are much longer. Is this an issue? Is there anything I can do to encourage growth? It almost looks as if it's dormant. Presumably the growth from all the other branches will cause the structure to become unsustainable?

[Lardman]

It looks to me that the central leader was pruned off when planted... I assumed you'd done it. Nothing wrong with the shape, you're looking for an open centre goblet not a hairy pole. What should happen are the framework branches will create that at the height the leader has been cut, which looks to be around 36"? All the branches should grown together balancing the crown, although keep an eye on the bin side it looks a little bare.

After another seasons growth it will probably be easier to see what I mean.

[Wubomber]

Thanks for your response. I had a quick look at it today and it looks like the leader has almost sealed over-that it hasn't grown since it was planted.

Sounds like from your explanation that maybe this isn't an issue (open goblet and hairy pole are great descriptions by the way). Although if the leader doesn't grow any more, I'm not sure how the tree as a whole will ever grow to full height.

[fishpond]

Thanks for your response. I had a quick look at it today and it looks like the leader has almost sealed over-that it hasn't grown since it was planted.

Sounds like from your explanation that maybe this isn't an issue (open goblet and hairy pole are great descriptions by the way). Although if the leader doesn't grow any more, I'm not sure how the tree as a whole will ever grow to full height.

Another branch/growth will take over as the leader

[Wubomber]

Ah right, I didn't realise that was possible. Thanks all for your advice.