If the tree has not been pruned regularly, it may be necessary to remove some.

Increased yield and compact size make spur-bearing habits a popular and well-advertised selling point.

Winter pruning a tip bearing apple variety. When pruning a tip bearing variety of apple, the general rules apply. As always the 3 Ds are observed – dead, diseased and damaged wood should be removed, a fourth D could be added – distance, overlapping and crowded branches are also removed.

Trees trained in “Central Leader” style should their leader pruned back every year. The central leader in the highest, most vertical branch of the tree.

Sep 21, Cut off any branches or limbs that grow straight up or straight down.

You will see some vertical growth shoots in the top part of the tree.

The straight up branches are known as water sprouts and rarely bear fruit. Use the pruning saw to remove larger branches and limbs and the loppers to cut off thinner limbs and twigs. Position your ladder beside the tree. The partial tip bearers can be pruned the same way as ‘normal’ apple trees. Make sure that your apple is really a tip-fruiting type. They will typically have the fuller fruiting buds developing at the tips of the branches, rather than just the narrower leaf buds.

Apr 23, Expert Response Most apple trees are spur-bearing but some are tip-bearing. Avoid heading cuts for tip-bearing trees as that cuts off the part that will be fruiting next year. You'll find pages with good pruning instructions on-line for both types of trees. Apr 16, When you prune back your apple trees, especially vertical upper branches you need to tip prune spur apple trees so the new growth will grow out away from the.