1, cut out a good shape. Your apple tree should be slightly conical, and the volume near the bottom is larger than the top of the tree, so that the sun can shine on more branches and leaves. Remember to make the branches of the tree form a pyramid before pruning.
2. Select the trunk branch. When the apple tree grows, there will be a central guiding branch attached to the trunk, and then the backbone branch which is second only to it in size. From top to bottom, your tree should have only three or four backbone branches, which do not cross each other and even have gaps. According to the size of the tree, the main branches should have 2-6 main branches. The rest should be cut off.
Looking down from the air, the main branch should be shaped like a star or spokes on a wheel.
3. Subtract the "apprentice branch". Apprentice branches are useless branches that grow around the bottom of the trunk. All such branches below the base of the main crown are cut off to make the overall shape more ideal. The apprentice branch is the only part of the tree that can be cut off in late summer and early autumn.
4. Cut down dead wood. If the wood of the branch is necrotic, sick or damaged, has fallen off or changed color, cut it off. If there are no buds, cut off the whole branch. If there are buds near the base of the branch, cut them immediately above the buds that grow outward. Use an oblique angle every time you cut it, so that the rain will flow down the trunk and not pile up on the tree and let it rot.
5. Cut off the crossed branches. To make your fruit tree grow into a vase, you must cut off the branches that cross each other. Vase-shaped trees not only look more attractive, but also help the wind blow between branches to prevent airborne diseases. In addition, if the branches don't cross, they will get more sunshine and bear more fruits.
Cross branches may also rub against each other and spread diseases. Cut off such branches and other branches that grow inward from the roots rather than outward.
6. Cut down the downward growing branches. If there are downward branches on your apple tree, you should cut them off. Such a branch can't bear a healthy big fruit, and it will take up valuable space and sunshine that other branches can use more effectively.
7. Prune the whorled branches. Verticillate branches are especially common in mature trees, and three or more branches will grow in the same position. Because there are so many branches in the same place, the branches are very fragile and cannot support the growth of branchlets. Determine which of those branches is the largest and healthiest, and then cut off all the other branches from the whorled branches.
8. Trim the remaining branches. Cut the remaining branches into half the original length, which will stimulate the branches to grow stronger and make the flowers bloom better next season. Each knife should be cut on the bud facing the foreign minister, which will make the tree shape more ideal.