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Zester apple tree pruning #927183

Asked March 31, 2026, 3:07 PM EDT

Hi! We moved to a home with a zester Apple tree that produced a huge amount of apples last season. I do not know how to care for this tree at all…. Is it too late to prune now? And how much can I prune? (And what should I prune?) any tips for keeping healthy? Do I spray the tree? If so, is now the time and with what. Thank you!!! Online research is confusing me

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

HI Kate,

It looks like your Zestar has been shaped before and the interior of the tree is quite open, which you want. Good air circulation reduces disease.

If you want, you could do some minor pruning of small shoots that are growing straight up. Now is the time to prune, before growth begins.

See these pages:

https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-apples

https://extension.umn.edu/growing-apples/pruning-and-training-apple-trees

Good luck.

MJ Replied March 31, 2026, 8:23 PM EDT

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