13th January 2015 - Fruit Tree Pruning Masterclass

Weather: Generally overcast, a little sun in the morning. Drizzly - to slightly heavier rain from 11am onwards. 

Conifer ident walk.

Apple tree pruning - I have already done some of this, but was away for most of it, so I am partaking in another session - I will be adding most of my notes to the session I started on 8th December.

- Bare root apple trees arrived today (Photo 1) - checks were made to see if they have any pest or disease e.g. Crown Galls. These are from UK nursery Frank Matthews (in Worcestershire), who also grow rootstocks. If they are from the continent they might have scale insects. Roots are best not scraped (high chance of it happening when taken up by a machine). Plums (Prunus) are put in quarantine because

Photo 1: Apple tree bare rootstocks.

- Centre leader standard apple trees (Photo 2) - to renovate - 1st year gently thin whole thing. 2nd year reduce height. 3rd year further thinning.

Photo 2: Centre leader standard tree - Breakwell's Seedling - a cider variety. On rootstock M25.

I worked on Row 17N:

- Anne Boelen apple - an orange pippin cross. Moderate vigour.