What to do with Honeycrisp apple tree - Ask Extension
I hope to enclose a photo of the tree that was recently planted. I need to know how to deal with the center main branch that is over 3' tall and with...
Knowledgebase
What to do with Honeycrisp apple tree #838165
Asked June 28, 2023, 8:31 PM EDT
I hope to enclose a photo of the tree that was recently planted. I need to know how to deal with the center main branch that is over 3' tall and with no side branches in the 3' area. Please advise me as to what and when to do something to make this a much better tree.
Tuscola County Michigan
Expert Response
I have included two pictures. I have put red marks where I suggest you cut the tree. The cut numbered #1 is right above the side branch. This cut will encourage buds on the central lead to start growing. Since we are almost to July, there may not be much reaction this year to the cut.
See the following for suggestions for encouraging side branches. This type of notching is done in the spring
https://blogs.ext.vt.edu/tree-fruit-horticulture/2020/03/27/notching-and-pgrs-to-induce-branching-in-newly-planted-non-bearing-and-bearing-apple-trees/
Your picture does not give a view of the bottom of the tree, and so I can't tell how far the two big lower branches are above the ground. If you look at the 2nd picture I've included, you can see an approximate desired height for the first tier of branches, approximately 2 foot from the ground for the first branch in the group. If your two branches are closer than that to the ground I recommend cutting them off close to the central leader.
If the two big branches are two foot or higher from the ground, keep them, but trim off about 1/3 of the length, ideally to some growing point (see the third picture). The heading cut helps to keep them from being too spindly and out of balance with the rest of the tree.
See the following for suggestions for encouraging side branches. This type of notching is done in the spring
https://blogs.ext.vt.edu/tree-fruit-horticulture/2020/03/27/notching-and-pgrs-to-induce-branching-in-newly-planted-non-bearing-and-bearing-apple-trees/
Your picture does not give a view of the bottom of the tree, and so I can't tell how far the two big lower branches are above the ground. If you look at the 2nd picture I've included, you can see an approximate desired height for the first tier of branches, approximately 2 foot from the ground for the first branch in the group. If your two branches are closer than that to the ground I recommend cutting them off close to the central leader.
If the two big branches are two foot or higher from the ground, keep them, but trim off about 1/3 of the length, ideally to some growing point (see the third picture). The heading cut helps to keep them from being too spindly and out of balance with the rest of the tree.
