I’ve got two new semi dwarf apple trees, a blacktwig and a Kinards choice planted in early April. They are doing great. I would like to know if there is a concensus on when and how to best train/prune them going forward. They do have room if needed. Thanks in advance.
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Just depends on their growth habit really. I have a few that love dropping low droopy limbs. Our Disharoon wants to be a very tight upright vase. Our Parks Pippin wants to fan out. Annie Elizabeth is a skyward seeking stick.
You just need to find what works best for them. Like this fall Annie Elizabeth will get a head cut.
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For semi-dwarfs in their first couple of years, most people go with a central leader or modified central leader. Main thing is to pick 3-4 well-spaced scaffold branches and remove anything competing with the leader. Don’t be in a rush to let them fruit either, pinching off any fruit the first year or two lets the tree put energy into structure.
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