A few weeks ago someone here posted a link about pruning to maximize spurring, and I wish they would repost it as I have lost it and thought it was worthwhile. If I remember correctly it said that pruning immediately before the summer solstic would increase spurring.

Don Yellman (Jellyman) posts here that summer pruning increases the number of spurs on his trees.

I'll have to remember the pollarding threat ... might come in useful!

:-)M

I think the timing to create spurs has more to do with the tree than the time of year.

But I think this is the link you're talking about.

Here is a link that might be useful: UMass fruit advisor

Thanks Mykl- that is the link.

Would you mind adding to your comment " ...has more to do with the tree ..."? I'm interested in learning what I can do to increase spurring on my pear.

Thanks again.

I think it depends on when the apple is ripe. June 21st seems awful early for a tree to be focusing its energy to making spurs when most varieties have barely decided which fruits will stick around.
It would also seem that different growing seasons would dictate how a tree reacts rather than a date on a calender.

With my McIntosh espalier I was seeming to lose spurs because they were always turning to branches. The reason I found this forum was looking up pruning to encourage spurs and I think it was a Jellyman post that suggested late summer pruning. I seems about the first to second week in August does best for it.
Pruning before June 21st (which is rather early in the growing season) causes water sprout growth here.

Thanks yet again Mykl.

I was starting to assume that day length had something to do with it; on re-watching the little video I could see how it might have more to do with total accumulation of sun-time or perhaps degree-days? Evidently the video is saying that the spurs need lots of light to make their decision. It may be that if you want them to get that light in early August you need to be pruning away the competition by the equinox (and maybe the leaves, rather than the spurs, are what are day length sensitive.)

Best,

M

Our Scarlet Sentenal columnar tree fruited the second year and has been loaded every year, requiring no pruning or other care. The apples are good- very aromatic, sweet, crisp, not a lot of character, but very reliable. I think I bought it at Lowe's for $15, and have not seen it anywhere since. I'd be curious as to what varieties you have.

Applenut