![]() This is because, while the tree produces fruiting spurs naturally, summer pruning persuades it to produce even more. However, magically, removing those shoots should also result in a larger harvest next year. Allowing more air and sunshine to reach the fruit will increase size and sweetness, improve its color, allow for easier picking and reduce the chance of pests and disease taking hold (partly because you can see any problems sooner, partly because air and light are healthier than a damper, darker microclimate created by shade and stiller air). That fruit is going to mature better without the shade. The shoots that have grown this year will be fairly soft for most of their length they'll also be leafy and vigorous and probably overshadowing the fruit that's there. Go and have a good look at your tree before you wield the pruners. The two reasons for summer pruning are to improve the harvest next year and to improve this year's crop. The effect of summer pruning Where last year's pruning resulted in fruit formation this year. Chances are, though, that you have a mature spur-bearer that positively bristles with foliage. When you're cutting away foliage you're reducing the tree's food factory, and this will contribute to its weakness. Second, if your tree seems to be a bit of a weakling, put the pruners away. Here, I'm writing about spur-bearing trees, which are far more common, especially among more modern varieties. First, you may have a tip-bearing tree, which means its fruit forms at the tips of branches instead of on short "spurs" along the branches, and these need pruning with more caution. Summer pruning is less common on untrained trees, but as garden apples and pears are now almost always grown on dwarfing stock (tall, standard trees are not pruned in summer), it's not only possible, but they'll be much easier to control and you'll gain a deeper understanding of how your trees work. Summer pruning has always been carried out on trained apples and pears-those in the form of cordons or espaliers and all the other clever shapes that can be created from their branches. Gosh, you think, wouldn't it be great if that tree put more energy into producing fruit, instead of giving out all those leaves? Well, with a bit of help, it will. ![]() Somewhere amongst them are apples (or pears) forming on the bough. ![]()
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