This is a good time to be pruning your apple trees.

Here are the top tips from Orchard Pig on how to care for your apple trees – you can do this whether you have one or a whole orchard.

1. Focus on the leader of your tree; height is key. Single out the leading branch to get the tree to grow tall and straight.
2. The trunk should be a smooth cylindrical shape. If there are branches that are restricting that shape remove them so that the flow is upwards.
3. You can remove up to 25% of fruiting wood
4. Cut in the right place, always back to the main trunk.
5. Be brave ;)

The apple orchard pruning begins prior to new growth after its Wassail blessing.

Further links

• Weekend of orchard management in Somerset – A photoset on Flickr
• There is a fantastic resource of seasonal tips over the the Orchard Pig Blog
• Read the Orchard Ground Force Newsletter – February 2011 – PDF download