How to Cut an Apple Tree
- 1). Inspect the tree overall to determine limbs that are damaged, diseased or dead. Look at the overall shape of the tree and pick out limbs that extend beyond the natural shape.
- 2). Put on a pair of leather work gloves to protect your hands from the apple tree limbs. Remove dead or dying limbs with bypass pruners or loppers. Cut the limbs just past the damaged or dead area at a limb or branch junction for best results.
- 3). Cut limbs from the tree that show signs of disease. Carefully cut and remove the affected limbs. Attempt to remove the diseased limbs without contaminating other parts of the apple tree. Wash pruners and loppers with antibacterial soap following the removal of diseased limbs.
- 4). Thin the interior larger limbs of the apple tree to promote air circulation. Identify limbs that cross or grow close together and cut them out. Cut the limbs with a pruning saw if necessary due to their diameter.
- 5). Cut limbs around the perimeter of the tree that extend beyond the natural shape of the tree and remove any limbs that extend down toward the ground. Use bypass pruners or loppers to make the desired cuts.
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