Jobs around the garden: Apple tree pruning

Fruit trees such as apples and pears will benefit from pruning this month.

Being a gardener who prefers to go with my gut more than diligently following a book, I like to remember what I am trying to achieve from the pruning and if you do this you won’t go wrong.

Firstly, you want an open-centred tree, so remove any congested and crossing branches.

The reason for this is to ensure good air circulation and thus, reduce incidences of fungal infection the next year.

The main reason we grow these trees is so that we can eat their bounty, and that’s why it’s important to retain as many of the fruiting spurs as possible.