Pruning fruit trees

[sherlockian]

When is the best time of year to prune an old apple tree? I have been given conflicting advice - told NOT to do in the autumn/winter as the extra wood protects the buds from frost, told NOT to do it in the spring when the sap is rising! It is getting quite leggy and needs a good haircut - it's a good cropper but when I trimmed a bit off a few years ago (can't remember what time of year) it sulked and didn't fruit so well the following summer! Thanks

[Hawkwalk]

In the winter when the tree is dormant. January or February will be fine for this job.

[Clanad]

I would agree with Hawkwalk... however one can prune a healthy apple tree any time except fall. The pruning encourages new growth and, of course, the tree should be preparing for dormancy at that time. As mentioned, the best time is late winter. Be sure to use sharp pruning cutters so as to leave a clean cut. You've experienced one of the problems with not pruning a tree until it's well established. That being alternate bearing years... one year heavy, the next light. Best of luck!

[Thunderbird+]

I agree with Hawkwalk and Clanad as usual but would like to add that- Do Not Prune if there is any frost present or forcast. Good Luck Tbird+

[RATTER15]

If you prune in the spring you will just encourage a lot of leafy growth but will not produce a lot of apples