How would you prune?

General Fruit Growing
#1

This is a few year old Cortland apple. It got attacked by deer in 2018. Any recommendations on how to prune it? I tried to just let it grow and recover last year.

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#2

I think we would need to know what rootstock its on and what your goal in your tree is? Its a tip bearer so you need to prune it differently than other trees, usually open center or modified central leader but allowing it to do its thing.

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#3

Thanks, I’ll contact the nursery and see if anyone knows. I bought it before learning about the different types of rootstock. All I know is it’s semi dwarf. Probably modified central leader just because I was going to do that with the tree next to it.

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#4

Look for Skilcult pruning videos on Youtube. They are informative and helpful.

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#5

Is there a way to get a central leader going again?

#6

If it were me, I would remove the top left leader and stake the smaller right leader to go straight up. It is young enough which will make it easier to train.

I meant for the tree in the 2nd pic.

Hope someone with more experienced will step in and help you.

Again spend a few minutes looking for Skilcult videos. It will help you for all other trees, too.

#7

Thanks, I’ve watched most of them before. I’ll go get a refresher though.

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#8

@RichardRoundTree - I received an email back from the nursery and they think it’s on EMLA 7 rootstock.

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#9

I have a Cortland (3 years old), I didn’t know it was tip bearing. It has never fruited, I wonder if I’ve been pruning the fruiting buds off? It does look like it does have some fruiting buds on it this year, though.

#10

You should prune enough off the top so you can get it as straight as possible with new healthy bud sites and then probably leave it alone for a while. I was given a box of cortland apples from new york once as a gift and they were excellent!