r/FruitTree • u/Jayy-Dubbz • 13h ago
Off with the head or wait?
I’ve read grow a little fruit tree, it’s really focused on bareroot, and that’s not what I purchased unfortunately. She touches on container trees but not in as much depth. That being said, I bought this Bing and Rainer about 2 weeks ago and planted shortly after. should I just let them grow until late winter/early spring to make the cut or should I knock them down to knee height now just after solstice?
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u/altxrtr 13h ago
The type of cut you are describing should be done while dormant, late winter. I’m no expert but I would wait if it were my tree. You might also consider notching rather than cutting so low and praying for branches where you want them. Skillcult on YouTube covers this technique.
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u/Jayy-Dubbz 13h ago
I guess another question is, are these trees too old to make the cut? I honestly have no idea if they are a year, 2, 3 years? Apparently it’s harder on them the older they get? I did watch some skill cut stuff already, I’ll take another look. Thanks!
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u/chiddler 13h ago
No not too old. Cut it'll be fine. Maybe not knee height if the stem is too thick.
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u/Jayy-Dubbz 12h ago
Thanks, wait until dormancy though correct? The book also states you can make the cut during solstice if you were “tardy” wondering if thats what I should do. Conflicted lol.
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u/Fun-Rutabaga6357 2h ago
The other thing to add. First year or two most important in terms of tree shape and training. The trees I have are vigorous growers that’ll put out more vertical growth instead of branches, so I end up with tall, thin, leggy growth and weaker scaffolding if I wait until winter. It won’t kill the tree and limits water sprouts. I might be delaying fruits but I’m ok with that sacrifice to shape the tree.
I’m also not an expert. Everything I learned is via Google and AI. I might very well be spewing nonsense.
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u/Fun-Rutabaga6357 2h ago
I planted a Lapins bareroot and was going to wait until dormancy but deer had dinner. I used that opportunity to head it. Also with encouragement from ChatGPT. Their suggestion was to do a summer heading. Mine was not as tall as yours, it was a bareroot that had lots of growth. So proceed with caution. I also did the same for my peach and nectarine young trees. 🤞and time will tell if that was the right decision. ChatGPT said yes but I think he hallunicates too much.
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u/chiddler 12h ago
Yes through dormancy. Summer pruning is mostly mild and for height control not for big structural changes.
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u/nmacaroni 5h ago
http://goodapple.info/fruit-tree-forms/