Formative pruning for central leader trees
Cider trees are traditionally grown with a central leader as the apples are shaken off rather than hand-picked.
Forming the trunk
- Winter 1. Cut back the side shoots to two or three buds, then remove completely the following year.
- Subsequent winters. Repeat this process on any side shoots coming from the central stem until your tree is large enough to produce side shoots at a height you would like your first framework branches.
Forming the framework branches
- Do not take out your central leader but allow it to keep growing up.
- Prune unwanted side shoots (in stages as before) except for side shoots that are at the right height and position to form further framework branches.
- Leave 20cm of trunk between each branch to spread out the strain that each puts on the trunk.
- Again, you are looking to end up with a tree that has a strong central stem with six to eight framework branches coming off it, evenly spaced around the central trunk.
Pruning framework branches
- While you are establishing your framework branches, prune them by one third of that years growth to encourage the formation of strong branches and well-spaced laterals.