Started Pruning the apple trees

Apple tree before Pruning

 Its that time of year when the apple trees get a prune. It encourages growth and vigor. I have pruned a number of the smaller trees and started on the larger ones. The larger ones will take a couple of weekends to get done, and a ladder.

Larvae found in a dead branch

I am using a pair of secateurs and a small bow saw. I am aiming for a goblet looking tree. So that branches are not touching and everything is growing outwards and not into the tree, this will open up the tree to light and hence give it more space also to grow. It will take a while.

But it will mean that this year the tree will grow more and be able to stretch out. Anything that is growing in the wrong direction is cut out.

In terms of wild life I saw honey bees out looking for forage and taking advantage of the warmer weather for cleansing flights. I also sow a number of caterpillars and larvae of one sort or another.

The ground is still wet but the daffodils are coming up nicely and because of the wind its bitterly cold.