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Old 23-10-2006, 01:21 AM posted to uk.rec.gardening
cliff_the_gardener cliff_the_gardener is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Jul 2006
Posts: 142
Default Pruning Bramley's?

Alan
Apologies for not getting back sooner but have been a little busy.

Bramleys are partial tip bearers - in that yes fruit is formed on the
tips of the branches but it also produces some spurs and thus can be
grown in a restricted form - with decreased yeild.

Having said that, when it comes to pruning consider them as tip
bearers; they need a programe of renewal pruning. Prune in the dormant
season - February- March, follow general pruning methodology. Remove
the 3 d's. Dead/Damaged, Dieing and Diseased. Next crossing branches
or any that are growing inwards rather than out, any that are too low
or too high.

Having done this you will have removed some of the congestion in the
tree. The next stage is to remove more so as to generate new growth -
and thus new fruit buds. As Andy suggested it is about having a
systamatic approach of removing older fruited wood which can be
replaced every 3-5yrs in a bush tree. Then - you need to remember the
partial tip bearer habit. The leader will fruit at the tip and for a
couple of years below it on spurs, but it will loose its vigour. If
you look at a branch you will see spurs and possibly a new leader
growth, Cut back to the new leader.

Summer pruning is usually done to promote spur production and stop
generative growth. This is not what you want with your Bramley.

I am sorry but I have not come across a site that gives a concise
account of pruning tip bearers. I hope this is clear to you. Feel free
to come back it isn't clear

Clifford
Bawtry, Doncaster, South Yorks