How to Prune Apples
- 1). Remove any branches that are growing downwards to the ground or inwards towards the trunk with the pole tree trimmer. The branches should be trimmed off of the tree as close to the trunk as possible.
- 2). Slice off the crossing branches. These branches grow horizontally from a larger branch and "cross over" to touch other closely located branches. They make the tree look messy and need to be removed. Cut as close to their base as possible without slicing into the branch that they are growing from.
- 3). Trim off any branches that are broken, warped or show signs of disease. These branches need to be removed from their bases as close to the trunk as possible. Branches that have cracked, look like they have been bent or warped by the elements, and ones that are losing their bark or have sores need to be removed to keep the tree healthy.
- 4). Dig any suckers out of the ground with the trowel. Suckers look like twigs that are growing out of the ground near the base of the tree, but are actually baby apple trees. They will "suck" up the surrounding nutrients and prevent the adult tree from receiving what it needs to survive, so they must be removed. This is the only pruning step that should be done in the summertime.
Source...