Training Mature Fruit Trees MSU Fruit Team Michigan State University Extension Educators for Horticultural & Marketing

Tree Fruit Pruning - Renovation

Maintenance pruning

Pruning Bearing Fruit Trees Upright: generally too vigorous Hanging: generally shaded, poor quality fruit upright hanging lateral

Rejuvenate? Just enjoy it, and plant the replacement

Neglected apple Poor quality shaded fruit overhanging “umbrella”

Remove upright limbs but keep “boss” limbs above the cut point to control regrowth at cut point

Renovating - spring year 1 -- before

Renovating - spring year 1 -- after

spring year 1,after cutting Keep upright limbs to control point of major cut

Spring year 2, before cutting Goal: remove excess side branches from scaffolds

Spring year 2, after cutting

Neglected apple 1 - before cut

Neglected apple 1 - after cut

Neglected apple #2 - before cut

Neglected apple #2 - after cut

Central leader apple before cut

Central leader apple after cut

Espalier (e spal’ yar)

Candelabra

Espalier - 3 designs Horizontal Cordon Candelabra Belgium fence

Heading and bending for espalier system Building espalier - source “Fine Gardening

Horizontal cordon espalier

Building espalier - source “Fine Gardening

Building espalier continued - source “Fine Gardening

Free-form espalier