Fruit Tree Pruning

My family owns a 400 tree fruit orchard including several trees planted in the 1950s. Even this time of year there are important things you can do to prepare your landscape for the spring growing season. If you have a fruit tree in your yard and are dreaming of those fabulous fruits that will be ripening this fall, you will need to start preparing now.

Owning your own backyard fruit trees can be rewarding and a lot of work as well. First thing you should consider when it comes to pruning is the weather conditions. Many people suggest that you have to prune your trees in the dead of winter. This statement is completely false. Pruning trees in the middle of winter with very harsh conditions can expose your tree to conditions that will actually cause damage your trees. I prefer to start my pruning in February or March when temperatures are improving.

Pruning is an art and requires good equipment and a little studying prior to starting. Make sure your equipment, normally a hand pruner and pole pruner, are sharp and sterile. Sterilizing your equipment after each tree is a normal practice so that you do not carry any diseases from one tree to another.

My grandpa always told us if you can't throw a cat through the tree it hasn't been pruned enough. First of all I love my cat and never would recommend doing this. The statement makes a lot of sense though. You need enough room in the tree for your fruit to receive sunlight and allowed to grow to maturity. First, remove all the dead branches within a tree. This helps protect the tree from possible insects and diseases that maybe lurking within. Second, I get rid of any branches that are growing in an upward manner or are crossing and rubbing together. You will notice after this that your tree is starting to look a little bare. Don't worry, this is perfectly normal. For proper fruit production we will sometimes remove 25% to 50% of a tree especially if the tree has never been taken care of properly. Last is the fine tuning of the tree. Again we stress to study some diagrams or consult with us prior to cutting. Cut back some branches and overall remove some additional branches “thinning the tree”. You will see your buds for this year’s blossoms on selected branches. Normally you will cut back each one of those branches reducing the amount of buds to 50% of the previous total. Never use any type of pruning spray/sealant to seal your cuts. This will cause moisture and disease problems with your tree. 

With this guideline to help you, you will be on your way to a bountiful fall harvest.  Even if you have an “old apple tree” in your yard, old age does not mean it can't be a productive tree. Always try to look at pictures and diagrams of proper pruning prior to making any cuts. Remember raising your own fruit can be expensive as well. Research your costs prior to purchasing trees this spring. Consider cost of trees, type and size of tree at maturity, zone the tree can thrive in, fertilizing, sprays for insect and disease control, and equipment. Whenever you have a question or are not sure about what you are doing stop and always contact a specialist.