"Steve" wrote in message ...

I've looked all over but I can't seem to find out when you're supposed
to do this ?

We've a large apple planted in 1933 that's all over the place. The last
owners seemed to have an aversion to going into the garden at all (we've
cleared 6 skip loads so far).
I've been told to cut it all the way back (it Y's off at about 5
feet and I was told to go about 4 foot along each branch and cut down
from there). Is this the right time of year to do this, I really,
really don't want to stuff this up.

I really understand what you have let yourself into, existing neighbours who
aren't gardeners recently moved next-door into the house opposite us with a
large garden and asked for our help. Sue and I, over a few days, helped
clear the overgrowth, prune most of the shrubs/trees and take 18 full
Landrover vanloads down the dump including 5 of rubbish.
You couldn't even see the largish pond. The large concrete shed base. The
paths. Luckily I knew they were there.

Anyway, if that tree is a focal point do you want to massacre it totally?
Better to take some branches back this year so they grow new wood and then
the rest next year. That way the tree does not have such a shock and doesn't
look so strange. Fine pruning an apple tree for fruiting spurs is something
you will need to learn for the years after.
Oh, and now is OK.

--
Regards
Bob

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