Rejuvenation for a better harvest
The right pruning is crucial for healthy trees and an abundant harvest in the coming year. For that reason you should remove those branches that have borne fruit for several years. Thin out the crown of the tree as well. Do not prune when there is frost, it is better to wait for midday or the afternoon. Then the open wounds in the branches can heal more quickly and are not damaged additionally by the frost.
That is how it will work well.
If you want your fruit tree to bear as much as fruit as possible, ensure that there is enough "space upwards", meaning that the crown gets enough light and oxygen. For that reason, cut off all "disturbing branches", meaning all that grow inwards or cross or rub against other branches - and directly at the branch that they are on. Also, branches growing outwards vertically only produce a denser crown without any additional fruit. It is best to cut all other branches just above an "eye", or bud. This enables the growing twig to get to the light more easily. For pruning you will of course use the WOLF-Garten loppers. With their very sharp blades you can always cleanly cut the smallest possible area to prevent making excessively large wounds and so you minimize the risk of infection.
Young wood = better fruit
Moreover, in general you should prune out branches that have repeatedly borne fruit because they are worn out, so to speak. On the other hand, fruit from young branches is of better quality. By the way: You have almost certainly noticed the "alternating fruiting phenomenon" in your fruit trees as well. After an abundant harvest you get very little the next year. This is because a lot of blossom costs the tree a great deal of energy and therefore it does not have enough strength for another year with full blossom.
How much should you cut off?
The answer is: It depends on what your goal is next year. If you want your fruit tree to grow quickly and produce strong branches, then cut the branches back strongly, up to half. If, on the other hand, you want a good harvest, then only prune the branches lightly. As a result, only moderately strong, new shoots develop over the entire length of the branch. This promotes a strong formation of blossoms and hence more fruit.
Tree maintenance without ladders
If you stand with your two feet on the ground your body can relax - and you cannot fall from a ladder or a tree, which is the biggest accident risk in garden work. Using the <link 59 - internal-link "Opens internal link in current window">tree cutters from WOLF-Garten you can work safely and with a good view up to a height of 5.50 m.
