Pruning guide
How to prune granny smith apple
More granny smith apple care
Pruning granny smith apple — FAQ
When should I prune granny smith apple?
Mid-winter during full dormancy, before bud break in late winter to early spring. Because Granny Smith bears partly on shoot tips, prune selectively: remove crossing, dead, and weak branches rather than systematically heading all laterals. Thin congested spur clusters. Leave strong tip-bearing shoots unpruned or shorten only by one-quarter.
How often does granny smith apple need pruning?
Annually in winter. Granny Smith is a vigorous, tip-bearing apple variety — it carries a proportion of fruit on shoot tips, not just spurs. Avoid over-tipping laterals or you will remove next season's fruit. Annual winter pruning focuses on thinning crossing and congested branches, removing dead wood, and lightly shortening only the longest extension growth.
How do you prune granny smith apple?
Because Granny Smith bears partly on shoot tips, prune selectively: remove crossing, dead, and weak branches rather than systematically heading all laterals. Thin congested spur clusters. Leave strong tip-bearing shoots unpruned or shorten only by one-quarter.