Notching to Encourage Branch Growth. 4.25.2021

 Akane is an excellent apple with a good "Jonathan" flavor, bears well, every year.  Unfortunately, I had let my Akane apple tree grow taller than I wanted.  I could have cut back the top, allowing new, lower branches to grow.  That would have meant no crop this year.

So I cut notches at points below buds where I want new branches to grow.  In a year or two, I can cut the bigger branches as the new lower branches fill in.

Now I'm thinking I should notch above those additional buds, for more branching.  

I never did this before.  Looks like it works just fine.

Notching Apple Branches to courage Latent Buds to Grow. 3.17.2021

I've never done this before.  I read that if you want a latent bud to grow, you should cut a notch through the bark above the bud.  The top of the tree sends auxin hormone to buds that keep them from growing.  Cutting the notch interrups the flow of auxin, allowing growth.  At least, that's what the books say.

 I want this Akane apple tree to have lower branches, so I can lower the top.  So I did an experiment and notched about these two buds.  We will see.