Pruning the Apple Tree

At the end of last year I purchased a self pollinating Cox Apple Tree from Aylett's Nursery.  I had considered several of the quality online fruit tree retailers, such as Keepers Nursery, however when shipping was included it was less expensive to buy at my local nursery.  There is also something quite nice about being able to visually select your tree, especially if it will be a highlight of your small garden.

The tree was on M9 rootstock, 1.5 meters tall and I believe 4 years old.  It has been looked after sparingly and does not have the greatest shape, but generally is quite well thinned.  So the pruning I needed to do could be considered light.

This was my first attempt at pruning a fruit tree so I did a bit of research first, finding several useful sites to guide my hand.  Garden Action gives a really easy to understand overview of pruning your apple tree and provides information on different formations, such as step-overs and cordons.  When it came time to think about exactly how to prune it though I found the article on About quite helpful, with many photographs and illustrations.  And of course I made sure I had a sharp set of pruning shears so the cuts didn't tear.

I also applied a few principles gleaned from other reading, such as to allow shoots to have four buds and no more as this will allow the trees energy to be more aptly directed.  Now I look forward to watching the tree grow this year and hopefully supply and fair number of apples.