Finally we are starting to see the light at the end of the long frosty tunnel we call winter! There are a lot of things happening at Ground Effects; we have recently revamped our website (just in case you didn’t notice), updated our logo, constructed our company mission (refer to the front page of the website) and are approaching the completion of our fourth on site greenhouse! These are just a few of the exciting things that have been happening here in the off season.
Within this last week it is definitely apparent that spring is near! We’ve been fielding many questions about spring pruning, which is understandable! We have to take advantage of this amazing weather. Check out this article written by our very own Ron Rynders, on when and why you should prune your apple trees!
Why prune? Left to itself, many apple trees will sprout branches and set fruit that will crowd each other. The sun also will not penetrate fully amongst close branches, slowing the likelihood of good fruit development. Disease and fungus also likes shady crowded conditions. For these and other reasons, it’s a good idea to regularly prune apple trees. These reasons also are not limited to trees you expect to eat fruit from. Ornamental apples also benefit from a good pruning–better shape, better health, fewer health issues.
People who trim and care for apple trees each winter can expect a crop each year. When trees are left alone, they sometimes skip a bearing year. There are many benefits that accrue from a regular pruning routine, including keeping the tree short enough so that high apples are within reach in fall, plus keeping beaches short enough so that they don’t crack under the weight of a good crop.
Pruning apple trees is best done while the tree is dormant. Disease is not present to enter fresh wounds, and the tree has time to heal in the cool weather of spring.
Whereas pruning branches from a tree is not rocket science, there are major “rules” that must be followed for a trees’s protection. We can teach a homeowner those basics, but the owner needs the proper tools. It’s likely best if professionals get involved to set a tree on the proper course for good healthy apples. We are glad to help. Be warned that a good tree that bears regularly benefits most from annual attention, regular spraying, and good weather. Since we are able to control a couple of those, we might as well work hard together. Since no one wants thousands of little, crusty, diseased fruit cropping all over the lawn in summer, let’s make a plan to shape your trees so that they bear healthy, robust fruit each year. An investment like a fruit tree is such a wise, healthy move that it deserves follow up, and wise owner stewardship demands that we do our best.
We stand ready to work with you in any way!