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Post by nhmountains on Mar 14, 2017 16:26:26 GMT -6
The one disease I'd keep an eye out for is fire blight. I'd check with the guy Stu references or if you have a county extension check with them if it's common. I think these cuts will heal fine before the FB season. I had one tree I pruned that died from FB about 6 years ago. I didn't sterilize my tools in between cuts or it came in through a large cut. I haven't seen much since then except one tree had a few branches last summer.
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Post by nhmountains on Mar 14, 2017 19:39:23 GMT -6
Here's a couple videos for you Catscratch that explain pruning for fruit, vigor, and directional growth. Keep in mind he's using an open center instead of central leader.
This first video shows how to cut for outward branch growth and how to get more vigor into limbs by cutting back.
This one shows what to look for to prune.
This one applies more to your tree but, watch the first two videos first and then this one.
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Post by Catscratch on Mar 14, 2017 20:39:11 GMT -6
Are you suppose to sterilize between each cut, or just when you move from tree to tree?
No time to watch the videos right now but thanks for posting. I'll watch them in order by the weekend probably.
Thanks.
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Post by nhmountains on Mar 14, 2017 21:46:50 GMT -6
If you're pruning dead or cankered wood I'd spray a mixture of 10%bleach to water in between cuts. I'd spray in between otherwise. When I lost my tree to FB I had no idea what I was doing. I cut the dead wood not knowing it had the FB spores in it and continued cutting wood off the whole tree. Once it warmed up and leafed out the blight spread all through and killed it. Very rarely will FB kill a mature apple tree but, this one died due to me. If you notice FB sign during the summer then cut, those branches out and burn them or dump them miles away. Definitely spray your saws and shears between and after cuts. Remember that tree when you prune to keep an eye on it.
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Post by Catscratch on Mar 15, 2017 5:32:14 GMT -6
So FB doesn't infect the whole tree? I figured that the whole tree got the infection, not just parts. In my mind it spreads throughout the tree and didn't stop at one part. If it stays local to contact then I can see the importance of spraying in-between cuts.
Thanks for the info. Learned something new today!
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Post by nhmountains on Mar 15, 2017 8:35:30 GMT -6
So FB doesn't infect the whole tree? I figured that the whole tree got the infection, not just parts. In my mind it spreads throughout the tree and didn't stop at one part. If it stays local to contact then I can see the importance of spraying in-between cuts. Thanks for the info. Learned something new today! It starts in open wounds, blossoms, and fresh young growth. It eventually can get into the main trunk and kill the tree. On mine it didn't even stump sprout after being infected. Classic sign is the brown leaves with the tips of the young branches bent over like a Shepard hook or candy cane. |
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Post by Catscratch on Mar 15, 2017 8:43:58 GMT -6
FB worries me as last yr this tree showed signs of it. I had never dealt with FB before and when the tree looked sick last spring I posted pics online. The unanimous response was FB. By mid summer the tree looked fine and showed no signs of being sick.
When I pruned it this weekend I didn't find any open wounds, no dead wood, and no Shepard's hooks. I hope I didn't just ruin it! If I did I guess it will be a lesson learned.
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Post by buckvelvet on Mar 15, 2017 9:57:32 GMT -6
I went off on my Gala on M7 and Chestnut Crab on M111 last night. I couldn't help myself!
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Post by nhmountains on Mar 15, 2017 10:28:34 GMT -6
My inlaws old tree was heavily pruned a few years ago. The next year it exploded in new growth and had some fireblight. They did nothing to it and it survived fine with no further issues or reoccurrences. Keep an eye on it next spring through August. I don't hunk you'll be ok.
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Post by buckvelvet on Mar 15, 2017 10:42:08 GMT -6
Way to much goblet shaped tree info there, toss a hat through!  Personally I prefer central leader but I get the practicality of the goblet approach as well. |
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Post by smsmith on Mar 15, 2017 12:34:00 GMT -6
I can toss a hat through my trees pruned to a central leader. The point is that you need a lot of sun and you want the wind to be able to blow through them easily. Morning sun and the breeze will dry the leaves out quickly in the morning, that goes a long way toward preventing disease. Well spaced laterals also help, you don't want them stacked one on top of the other all the way up the tree
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Post by buckvelvet on Mar 15, 2017 12:59:45 GMT -6
I can toss a hat through my trees pruned to a central leader. The point is that you need a lot of sun and you want the wind to be able to blow through them easily. Morning sun and the breeze will dry the leaves out quickly in the morning, that goes a long way toward preventing disease. Well spaced laterals also help, you don't want them stacked one on top of the other all the way up the tree Of coarse thats why you want the laterals on opposite sides of the tree. |
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Personally I prefer central leader but I get the practicality of the goblet approach as well.