Thinning Out Apples Learn How And When To Thin Apple Trees

Thinning an apple tree can take place throughout the summer but, ideally, you should thin in the late spring. The tree will naturally thin itself, called the “June drop.” This doesn't always occur in June, however. It depends on your region and the cultivar, but it does happen a few weeks after the fruit sets.

When should I thin out apples?
When should you thin fruit trees?
Do I need to thin out my apple tree?
When and how do you prune an apple tree?
Why are the apples falling from tree to early?
How can I make my apples grow bigger?
How long can you leave apples on the tree?
Why are the apples on my tree so small?
Can you have too many apples on a tree?
Can you use thinned apples?

When should I thin out apples?

But for inexperienced gardener, it is best to wait until after the June drop, other than removing malformed fruit. Finish thinning by mid-July.

When should you thin fruit trees?

When to thin out fruit: The window for thinning fruit trees opens after pollination takes place and in the early stages of fruit development – this is usually before the young fruit exceeds an inch in diameter. In most locations, you will no longer need to be concerned with thinning your fruit trees after July.

Do I need to thin out my apple tree?

Selectively removing young fruits is called thinning. Many tree fruits, including apples and pears, naturally thin their fruits in early summer during the so-called June drop. But thinning further can help trees to stay in good shape and produce a more useful crop.

When and how do you prune an apple tree?

An introduction to pruning apple trees

The best time to prune apple trees is in late winter or very early spring before any new growth starts. The tree takes up a dormant state after shedding its leaves and before sprouting new buds. ...
If you are removing a large lateral branch the method is to make 3 cuts to avoid the branch tearing at the trunk as it falls.

Why are the apples falling from tree to early?

Often, a period of stress (a long, hot summer with very little rain) will cause a tree to abort its fruit in order to conserve energy. Apple trees require deep watering during drought. Lack of pollination can result in pea-size fruit that falls off prematurely.

How can I make my apples grow bigger?

Hot, dry weather in spring can exacerbate it. Although the amount of fruit that falls on its own might be alarming, you often need to do some additional thinning to get the larger fruit you desire. It is ideal to remove all but the largest fruit from each cluster and space the apples 8 to 10 inches apart on the branch.

How long can you leave apples on the tree?

Apples should be harvested when they are physiologically mature but before their peak of ripeness. Apples for eating fresh or for short-term storage (2–3 weeks) should be left on the tree until they are fully ripe. Store only sound fruit that is free from insect or disease damage.

Why are the apples on my tree so small?

If fruit tree blossoms aren't thinned prior to opening, up to 90 percent of the small, hard fruit that develops right after pollination will eventually be shed from the tree. ... These fruits continue to develop and may remain on the tree throughout the growing season, eventually ripening into seriously small fruits.

Can you have too many apples on a tree?

An apple tree will produce many more blossoms and fruit than is necessary; a lot of apple seeds is how nature perpetuates the species. But for the kitchen gardener too many apples on a tree can mean smaller fruit, limbs loaded to the point of cracking or breaking, and sometimes a small crop next year.

Can you use thinned apples?

These unripe windfall apples are rich in natural pectin. They can be used to make a natural pectin for use in making jams and jellies from fruits that would usually require the addition of pectin bought from the store.