Vancouver pruner

Discussion in 'Fruit and Nut Trees' started by soccerdad, Aug 26, 2020.

  1. soccerdad

    soccerdad Active Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    515
    Likes Received:
    20
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC, Dunbar area
    I have let two apple trees grow for a few years without pruning and they are now so high that I probably should have someone else prune them. SWMBO certainly thinks so.

    I don't ask for recommendations as to specific people or companies, which I think are not allowed here anyway, but is this something for which I want an arborist? A horticulturalst? A regular lawn-maintenance company?
     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

    Messages:
    21,287
    Likes Received:
    799
    Location:
    WA USA (Z8)
    How tall?
     
  3. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

    Messages:
    15,887
    Likes Received:
    13,365
    Location:
    Hampshire England Zone 8b UK
    @soccerdad good afternoon, photos would help??
     
  4. soccerdad

    soccerdad Active Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    515
    Likes Received:
    20
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC, Dunbar area
    Probably 18-20' tall to the top of the highest branch but I would prefer to have them end up no more than, say, 12' tall.
     
  5. vitog

    vitog Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    1,788
    Likes Received:
    271
    Location:
    Burnaby, Canada
    If that much top growth is removed in one pruning, any parts of the trunk and main branches that become exposed to the sun should be protected with white latex paint or something similar. Removing smaller amounts each year over several years may avoid problems with sunscald.
     
  6. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

    Messages:
    15,887
    Likes Received:
    13,365
    Location:
    Hampshire England Zone 8b UK
    My rule of thumb for pruning any tree in my garden is 20% only at a time. Perhaps a little more in February. So if it is that big, as vitog suggests, perhaps carry this out over a couple of years.
     
  7. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

    Messages:
    21,287
    Likes Received:
    799
    Location:
    WA USA (Z8)
    Older apple trees that are well beyond their formative years - as these particular examples will be - are best handled by selective removal of a percentage of entire, comparatively played out looking branches over a period of years. Rather than arbitrarily cutting the entire specimen off at the same level all the way across in one go.
     

Share This Page