Pruning established (but overgrown) apple tree

[allotment_chick]

Hello
On my new second plot there is a gnarled apple tree about 10 feet high and I would guess to be about 10-15 years old.  It would seem to be on a relatively dwarfing stock and its a russet which I've been told is Cox's (not sure myself...)

I reckon it has never had any kind of controlled pruning and shaping and here is the problem.  It was planted very close to the edge of the plot and now overgrows the path.  In frustration I would imagine, a number of plotholders seem to have chopped and hacked it back so it looks like half a tree with all the growth on the plot side.  I would really appreciate any advice you can give  on where/when/how/what shape to go for now?  I would like to bring it back if I can to some semblance of productivity.

Secateurs and loppers are oiled and waiting....

[allotment_chick]

[the_plotter]

if its as bad as you say prune off the branches evenly at all sides to give it a uniform shape. dont worry about apples as heavy pruning will more than likely stop any fruit next year. in early spring do some root pruning cutting off some of the larger roots. this shocks the tree into producing new growth and hopefully new fruit
    the plotter

[allotment_chick]

Thanks!  I watched that BBC programe Gardening with the Experts and was interested in the Dutch organisation that was pruning apples into all kinds of shapes - sadly couldn't find anything about them on the beeb website.  Do you think I could eventually get the tree into a rough column shape?

[LynneA]

Don't think it would be possible with an established tree.

The RHS pruning book have a section on "Renovation" pruning - which I think is the best description of what you need.  See if it's in your local library.

[allotment_chick]

To be honest, I might just try it and if it keels over, so be it!  It looks totally bonkers the way it is and can't do the tree any good being completely lopsided!   :-/

[teresa]

Hi AC just a quick tip,
feed it with rose fert in Feb and again in june as the apples are forming works wonders ;). My brambly the apples are twice as big as last year and have had a couple of apple tarts all ready  ;Doh Teresa

[allotment_chick]

Well, we've had a meeting of plotholders around the fruit tree this morning and the general consensus is that it worth a go.  Remembering the rule of thirds, I shall try not to send it to the great orchard in the sky!!  This could be tricky from someone who can't always tell a lateral from a spur (well - if the spur has grown quite long is it still a spur or another lateral?)

Anyway, much help was offered and accepted.

I might record the process for posterity (or a laugh!) and post it on the board!

[Mrs Ava]

As a newbie, reading all about your apple trees was a great start as I have just taken on a plot and it has two, rather small, rather old, and rather gnarled apple trees that we are hoping to reshape and improve.  Good to read everyones tips  :D

[allotment_chick]

Check these out too - they look most informative (not that I've had a chance to really sit and read it yet!)

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1101/fruit_tree.asp

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/ag29.html

 ::)