Maintenance Pruning an Overgrown Apple Tree

Pruning apple trees brings fear and trepidation to gardeners. Pruning apple trees improves the tree's vigor and fruit production. But it just seems so complicated. Take heart. It is almost impossible to kill a tree by pruning it. And most of the intimidating pruning takes place the first 3 years of an apple tree's life. Conquer that and you're 90% done.

You want to accomplish 2 things with maintenance pruning of your apple tree

1. Encourage fruiting spurs

2. Open the branches so that sunlight and air can reach all the ripening fruit