Mike, you are absolutely right. Now that the thread is ruined, let's make a
further mess by another top posting.

Franz

"Mike Lyle" wrote in message
om...
Not being arsey, but this is one of the reasons top-posting isn't
always the most convenient style for readers.

Mike.

"Dwayne" wrote in message
...
The first thing is to wait until they are dormant. I like to wait until
Feb
or March. I have been told that if you wait until later, you might keep
it
from blossoming too early and then getting frosted.

Cut out anything growing down, toward another branch that is of better
quality, all dead wood, water spouts (branches other than the main tree,
that grow straight up), and anything not growing in the direction you
want
it to. Cut above a bud that is facing the direction you want the tree
to
grow.

I have been told to never remove more than 1/3 of a tree at one pruning.
This project could take you several years. You can cut the tops out to
prevent them from getting too tall. Apples grow on 2 year old wood. I
am
not sure about plum, cherry or pear. You didn't mention peaches, but
they
grow on new wood.

Look at the tree and imagine what you want it to look like in 10 years.
Then start cutting it in a way that will help you reach that shape.

Have fun. Dwayne



"bnd777" wrote in message
...

"Gary Harrison" wrote in message
...
Hi All,
Never been here before but having a scan round there looks to be
some
knowedgable folk on here, so hopefully someone can help.

I have just bought a house (Next door) that has several (about 15)
mature fruit trees, Plum, Apple, Cherry, Pear.

I know that these trees have not been looked at for over 15 years
and
the whole plot of land has been left to nature.

The trees have all got loads of fruit on, and we have managed to get
about 6 carrier bags off the ones we can get to.

The problem is that the trees have been left to there own devices,
and
the best fruit is above the canopy which is about 30 foot up!

I want to manage these trees but i don't know where to start, at the
moment they are far too high, but i can't go in and cut them to
hight as
i might loose the tree's

I need expert help, I live in Sheffield and am concered that a
normal
tree surgen might not have the knowedge to work on these fruit
trees.

Can anyone offer suggestions.

All thoughts welcome.

cheers

Gary Harrison.


I doubt you will kill the trees and they sound in good health if they
are
fruiting

Although Plum trees can be susceptible to Silver Leaf

Wait till October and then reduce the canopys down to a more
reasonable
height and prune out any overlapping or crossing branches to give an
open
framework
Then next year you can do more drastic pruning

There are several good books on pruning fruit trees you should be able
to
get one from your library

It will likely be a very good idea to put grease bands on the trees
and to
give them a couple of doses of winter wash .........you might need to
go
and
buy that PDQ as it may be on the list of things the EU is about to ban