Summer pruning is one of the important cultural practices in apple cultivation. It reduces the pruning work by 30-35 % in winter. Undesirable shoots if removed in summer also reduce the competition for nutrients and space. For example, there will be more availability of Calcium in fruits, as shoot tips that demand high Calcium would have been removed by summer pruning. It has many more benefits discussed under :

1. Growth Restriction: Summer pruning restricts the growth of plants and weakens it. The best time for summer pruning is Mid June to July end. It is very beneficial for High-Density Plantation systems. Remember that We have to produce fruits, not shoots. We are growing apple trees for fruits, not for wood. Therefore, a weak shoot is desirable to get quality fruit.
2. Widen the branch Angle of young plants: During pruning small shoots are stretched horizontally to the ground to make the angle widen. During the initial years, if the crotch angle becomes horizontal to the ground, it becomes stronger, and the shoot becomes more productive. This has been explained in a previous post with the help of a photo.
3. Light penetration and colour development: Summer pruning gives better light penetration inside the plant canopy and leads to better colour development.
4. Fruit bud formation: Summer Pruning should be done when shoots are 2-3 inches long. They should be pinched with a hand. In most of the cultivars, it will give rise to weak growth and thus spur formation.

During Summer pruning water shoots can be removed. It’s better to remove them at an early stage when they are 2-3 inches in length before the wood gets hardened. If we cut them after hardening of wood it may regrow and give rise to more water shoots.