pruning espalier apple trees

[new gardener 1052]

Evening All,
i need some help with the pruning of my espalier apples, the trees are still quite young a bout 3 year old trees.

im strugling to completely understand the pruning of them.
i understand new growth growing vertical on the horizontal arms should be pruned back to about a inch or 2 buds during summer months.

but what about new growth on the horizontal leader? i understand this should be pruned back by 1/3. but should this be done in the summer or winter?

i still want the arms to grow further along the wire.

hope you guys can understand what I'm asking and maybe help

Cheers
Steve

[Guest]

I try to remember it as winter prune for growth. Summer prune to restrict.

[new gardener 1052]

Hi Norfolk,
So would I take 1/3 off the leaders in summer or winter?
Sorry if I'm a bit slow, see I'm still wanting the horizontal leaders to carry on along the wire.

[maverick451]

I find the ken muir guides excellent

http://www.kenmuir.co.uk/image/data/...0Stepovers.pdf

[Lardman]

Evening All,
but what about new growth on the horizontal leader? i understand this should be pruned back by 1/3. but should this be done in the summer or winter?

I only prune the horizontals if they're weak or unbalance.

Pruning it in winter will increase vigour the following season and "fatten" up your branch, the downside is it tends to fork and you get a kink (Could well just be my useless pruning skills )

If it's growing happily I let it be.

[maverick451]

Just to add you prune back the central vertical leader in winter and you want to prune to where you want the next level arm to be

The horizontal leaders will again be in winter, its a bit hazy but says

"If growth is weak, prune back the horizontal branches by one-third to downward facing buds"

[new gardener 1052]

Thanks guys

[lookbettertomorow]

If the new growth on horizontal leader is good and strong I would just tie it down, should develop fruit buds next year. You right with all vertical growth,chomp it all back to a couple of leaf joints. Love trained fruit.