"Chris Bacon" wrote in message
...
An apple in the garden has a mass of flowers. It's also got a lot of
shoots pointing straight up, about 18" long. These have flowers on.
Can I trim them now, or should I wait?
_____________________________________
Depending on the size and age of the trees the vertical growths should have
been pruned last summer by about a third.
Do not prune now. The flowers will be your fruit. This summer new growths
can be pruned by 1/3rd to promote the formation of flowering spurs for next
year.
Summer pruning promotes fruiting whereas winter pruning is for growth.
There is a possibility that your tree is a 'tip bearer' and pruning
should leave new growths thinned but not pruned. More winter pruning
probably.
Best Wishes Brian.