pruning apples in frost

[dancecaller]

Will it harm my apple trees to prune when there is a frost, or forecast of frost.
I find that I see what needs doing when I'm picking the apples, and do some of it then. The books say do it after the leaves have fallen, what harm is there doing it while picking? If I leave it, it doesn't get done, it's either too wet or too cold or I'm too busy with other things

[brenda]

Never a good idea to prune when frost is around or imminent.You can leave your apple until Spring and prune then ,suggest April and not too severe even then.

[Hawkwalk]

you should prune from December to February when the tree is dormant. It is ok to do this in a frost as the tree is dormant so no sap is running. If you cut large branches then best to wax seal them otherwise the small ones will be ok. This is best done then so that the tree becomes invigorated for the next season. The idea is to produce more fruiting spurs for the year after. Apples fruit on 2 year wood so you want to produce strong shoots one year to then fruit the next. If done when picking, the tree is not dormant and you may subject it disease and damage. You wont kill it if you need to do it while picking, just not recommeded.

[carlton23]

http://www.gardenacti...eptember_2d_apple.asp