Tom Cole from Capel Manor¹ College in London shows you how to prune² apple trees between late Autumn and early Spring. A great video on how you can prune apples for maximum taste.

来自伦敦卡尔贝庄园学院的汤姆·科尔将为大家讲述秋末和初春之间怎样修剪苹果树。本视频将为你展示怎样修剪果树，以获得最佳口味。

Step 1: You will need

1.所需工具

SecateursA pruning³ saw or loppers'telescopic pruner⁴' for high branches

剪枝夹修剪锯或修枝剪用来修剪高处枝条的可伸缩剪枝剪

Step 2: Remove 'suckers'

2.剪除根蘖

Use secateurs to cut back the 'suckers', which are the unwanted shoots that grow near the base of the trunk. Remove all of these shoots up to the base of the main canopy⁵ of the tree to encourage a good shape.

使用剪枝夹剪除“根蘖”，也就是树干根部附近生长的多余的枝条。将果树根部一直到树冠底部的所有枝条都剪掉，使果树保持良好的形状。

Step 3: Remove dead wood

3.剪掉枯木

Remove any dead, diseased or damaged wood which is flaking⁶ or discoloured. Remove the whole branch if it doesn't have any buds. If it does have buds towards the base of the branch, make a cut just above an outward facing bud. Angle each cut so rain can drain off the stem rather than sitting on top and rotting the plant.

剪掉任何正在脱落或变色的枯死的，患病的或损坏的枝条。如果没有花蕾的话，将整个枝条都剪掉。如果枝条底部有花蕾，只剪掉向外生长的花蕾上方的枝条。修剪的时候剪刀要保持一定的角度，这样的话雨水会沿着茎部流走，而不会停留在顶部腐蚀植株。

Step 4: Remove crossing branches

4.剪掉交叉分支

To encourage your tree to grow in a vase shape, remove any branches that cross over. Vase shaped trees not only look more attractive, they help wind pass through the plant which prevents it catching⁷ airborne diseases. Branches that cross may also rub and become infected. Remove these branches at the base, and any other stems that grow inwards rather than outwards⁸.

为了让果树长成花瓶的形状，剪掉任何交叉的枝条。花瓶形状的果树不仅外形更漂亮，还可以使通风效果良好，防止感染空气传播的疾病。交叉的枝条还可能互相摩擦，互相感染。从底部剪掉这些枝条以及所有向内生长而不是向外生长的枝条。

Step 5: Prune the remaining branches

5.修剪剩余的枝条

Cut back the rest of the branches by about half their length, to encourage the stems to thicken and develop flowers the following season. Make each cut just above an outward facing bud to encourage a healthy shape.

将剩余的枝条修剪到一半的长度，这样可以使枝干在下一季变粗并开花。在向外生长的花苞的上部进行修剪，这样果树的形状比较健康。