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Pruning Fruit Trees

When to Prune Fruit Trees

Fruit trees should be pruned at planting time and regularly thereafter.
Make cuts before buds open. In cold climates, delay pruning until late
winter to avoid harming young growth. Prune lightly in late spring or
summer to remove leaves and small stems that might shade developing fruit.

How to Prune Young Fruit Trees

You will need hand pruners. Cut any twigs back by one-half
on on or two year old fruit trees. Reduce the main trunk of the
tree and select well spaced branches to keep. Cut branches by
one-half. Whenever you clip buds or branches, keep the intended
shape of the tree in mind. During the first several years of a tree's
life, prune just enough to shape the tree and eliminate any low growth
as low branches are generally to shaded to produce fruit.

How to Prune Mature Fruit Trees

You will need a pruning saw, hand pruners, ladder. Choose the form
that best suits the tree's growth habit and remove branches
with a pruning saw to created the outside shape. With a pruning saw
take off any crossing branches and those that grow
into the center of the tree and block light to interior fruit. Thin the center
branches with hand pruners. Also thin those that crowd strong limbs. Stronger
limbs will produce the most fruit. Return your fruit tree to a healthy
shape and head back all branches around the tree with pruners.