Can I prune my apple tree

[kt.]

I have just planted a 3 1/2 yr old Laxton Superb apple tree today in my lottie in a cordon formation. It is approximatley 8ft high. Can I prune the top by 1-2ft now or is it best to wait till March?

[kt.]

[saddad]

Not sure KT, and thanks for the E-mail... I would think that will justencourage it to reach for the stars later..
???

[Merry Tiller]

You can prune it any time after the leaves have dropped

[cleo]

Now would be OK,no frost is forecast for this week

[Robert_Brenchley]

Prune away; I've been doing mine as well.

[Merry Tiller]

Now would be OK,no frost is forecast for this week

Do you not like to do your winter pruning when it's frosty?

[Baccy Man]

Apple trees should be pruned in January.

[cleo]

Now would be OK,no frost is forecast for this week

Do you not like to do your winter pruning when it's frosty?

Ha ha-no I don`t. In fact I do very little when it`s frosty-I still remember a Christmas job picking sprouts on frosty mornings >:( ;D

[laurieuk]

Not sure as to why you want to prune so much off the top.If it is a cordon you plant it at an angle so it will only be about 6 feet after planting. Also with cordons you usually only reduce the side growths to form fruiting buds and just tip the top. You are perfectly OK to do it any time now once the leaves are off.

[kt.]

Sorry - I meant espalier shaped.  :-[           I was going to do a cordon but the tree is a little over 3yr old and has branches quite evenly spread to the left and right. It is currently tied and spread at a total length of about 5-6ft from left tip to right tip of each branch. I have planted my 2nd tree 20ft away to grow freely.

[Merry Tiller]

Apple trees should be pruned in January.

Oh, why?

[Baccy Man]

I know several tree surgeons who have all said that apple trees respond better to pruning in January as the new growth is stronger & more vigourous than it is on trees pruned in the early winter months.

[Merry Tiller]

Everyone is entitled to their point of view ;)

[Hyacinth]

In the DT Gardening Section a couple of weeks ago they also wrote of January pruning - something about the tree being completely dormant & the risk of disease entering through the cuts being much lessened? Something like that, anyway...... :-\

[laurieuk]

This is one advantage of pruning as soon as the leaves fall as you want fruit buds next year rather than strong growth which crowds the tree and needs cutting in the late summer when you summer prune. I always say we do it our way and don't change if your way works for you.

I know several tree surgeons who have all said that apple trees respond better to pruning in January as the new growth is stronger & more vigourous than it is on trees pruned in the early winter months.

[Merry Tiller]

Depends if you want vigorous growth, I just want to keep mine at their present size

[Baccy Man]

Detailed instructions for pruning apple trees can be found here.
http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_september_2d_apple.asp