Replace old apple trees with new trees

You are probably thinking of replacing old apple trees with new trees  that are in your garden. The truth is that growing new apple and pear trees is a task that takes years and if you do not have the time to dedicate, it is better that you use your old trees .

Old trees can be very attractive, they just need to be pruned properly .

If you want to start replacing old apple trees with new trees , it is recommended that you do so during the winter , when the leaves have fallen and there are no fruits. In addition, this should be done gradually and over the years, since if it is done frequently, it is likely that it will only cause an exaggerated growth and without any fruit.

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But how do you know if it’s worth renewing an old tree?

After pruning, if you notice that the trunk and main branches are growing healthy , then your apple or pear tree is worthy of a second chance. If you consider that it is a very complicated job, it is better that you seek professional help.

Renewing an old tree is a great advantage , as you save all the growing time and can make it productive and fruitful again. You should only assess whether the tree does not pose a safety risk to people living near the garden and to something else.

If it does not represent a risk, then the tree is recommended to be renewed.

When should you prune?

As mentioned above, the most recommended time to prune is during the winter , since in this season of the year, the leaves of the tree fall due to low temperatures and the fruits stop growing. This is ideal, since in spring the tree will grow healthy and strong , in addition to the fact that it will begin to bear fruit quickly.

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Not only this, but winter pruning is doable , as the leaves are not present and it is much easier to see the pruning work being done.

How should it be pruned?

Old trees generally have a very full arch of leaves and fruit on their potential branch. Therefore, the main objective of the person who is pruning is to make a cut so that the final shape is cup-shaped .

The indicated size to cut is at least one third of the initial branches. Lateral branches should be smaller in size as they may not be able to support the initial branch later on and remember this is the average size that an old apple or pear tree looking to reclaim should at least be.

The ideal place to cut is away from the top of the tree, as the top is easily distinguishable as it will show a bump. Remember to avoid cutting branches to the left or completely flush with the tree.

It is estimated that over a year old, the person renovating an old apple or pear tree cuts at least 25 percent of it and saves the rest for later years. It is not possible to prune the entire tree in a single year because, as mentioned above, the growth will not be healthy , it will be excessive and it will not bear fruit.

After this, you must perform some care to the tree, while you wait to remove the rest of the old parts the following year. You have to do something called the ” vegetable circle “, which consists of creating a circle around the tree full of fertilizers, which has to be about 60 cm in diameter

This job may seem complicated, but apples and pear trees are a fundamental part of the entire ecosystem, so try to recover them and you will see the excellent benefits.

Replace old apple trees with new trees

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