Prune Fruit Trees
Prune fruit trees is a crucial practice that can significantly impact the health, productivity, and overall well-being of your trees. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice, understanding the why, when, and how of fruit tree pruning is essential.
Why Prune Fruit Trees?
Pruning serves several purposes:
- Health and Vigor: Regular pruning removes dead, diseased, or weak branches, allowing the tree to allocate energy to healthy growth.
- Air and Light: Properly pruned trees have better air circulation and sunlight penetration, reducing the risk of fungal infections and promoting fruit development.
- Shape and Structure: Pruning shapes the tree, creating an open canopy that supports fruit-bearing branches.
- Fruit Quality: Well-pruned trees yield larger, tastier fruits by concentrating energy into fewer branches.
When to Prune Fruit Trees: Timing Matters
The best time for pruning fruit trees depends on their age and growth stage:
a. Initial Pruning (Young Trees)
- At Planting: Trim the new stem to about 24 to 30 inches (61-76 cm) from the ground. Remove side shoots to encourage low branches.
- First Two to Three Years: Focus on scaffold development. Central leader training is common, creating a strong trunk and lateral branches starting around 30 inches (76 cm) from the ground.
b. Pruning After the First Year
- Summer: Once new growth reaches 3 to 4 inches (7.5-10 cm), select the central leader and remove other branches below it.
- Spread Branches: Use toothpicks to spread side branches at 45 to 60-degree angles from the central leader.
Techniques for Pruning Fruit Trees
Here are some essential techniques:
a. Scaffold Development
- Choose four to five balanced branches (scaffold whorl) to form the base structure.
- Maintain an open canopy by removing crowded or crossing branches.
b. Thinning
- Thin out excess fruiting wood to prevent overcrowding.
- Aim for 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) between fruiting branches.
c. Heading Back
- Cut back long branches to encourage lateral growth.
- Avoid excessive heading back, as it can lead to vigorous water sprouts.
Tools and Tips
- Pruning Shears: Use sharp, clean shears for precise cuts.
- Angle Matters: Cut just above a bud or lateral branch, angling away from the bud.
- Remove Deadwood: Eliminate dead or diseased branches promptly.
Remember, each fruit tree type (apple, peach, cherry, etc.) may have specific requirements. Always adapt your pruning approach based on the tree’s growth habit and desired shape.
With below videos we want to focus on Pruning. Instead of reading all about it, please have a look at these videos.
