Pruning fruit trees requires know-how. It requires special skills and an interest in the natural rhythms and specific needs of each tree species.
Good pruning can improve not only the health and longevity of trees, but above all the quality and quantity of their fruit production.
At the end of summer, it’s a good idea to start thinking about pruning your fruit trees at the beginning of autumn, to ensure that they produce plenty of beautiful fruit next season. To help you better understand fruit tree pruning, here are five essential points to know.
Follow the guide!
The importance of pruning for fruit trees
It’s important to understand why pruning fruit trees is essential, before delving into the technical intricacies of fruit tree pruning.
Pruning is undertaken in late summer or early autumn, depending on the species.
As a general rule, pruning takes place after the harvest. The purpose of this operation is to prepare the tree for its next harvesting season.
Pruning is important for the tree’s proper growth, to promote air circulation and light, all of which are essential to encourage bud production for the next harvest.
Pruning also enables us to monitor any health problems or insect infestations.
What you need to know about each species of fruit tree
To take good care of fruit trees, it’s essential to know the characteristics of each species. So before pruning, it’s a good idea to find out the specific data for each species.
Here are a few facts and figures:
- Apple and pear trees: These trees have a branched structure that requires moderate pruning to maintain a balanced shape and help future fruit production.
- Peach and apricot trees: Peach and apricot trees are fast-growing and therefore require more severe pruning, to control tree development and stimulate fruit production.
- Cherry and plum trees: These trees have a more complex branching system, so pruning must be carried out with care to avoid disturbing the tree and its growth, as well as its fruit production.
Pruning with the right tools
Once the tree’s needs are clearly understood, it’s time to prune, and this requires the right tools for effective, safe pruning.
To do this, you need pruning shears for small branches, and a lopper for thicker ones. A pruning saw may also be needed for larger branches. Of course, all these tools must be sharp and clean. A clean cut also prevents the spread of disease.
Mastering cutting techniques
Pruning a fruit tree doesn’t just involve cutting off small branches or larger ones. There are specific techniques to be mastered:
- Cleaning cut: this first step involves removing dead, diseased or damaged branches. This prevents the spread of disease and improves the overall health of the tree.
- Shaping cut: to give the tree a balanced, productive shape, this eliminates branches that compete with the main branches.
- Fruiting cut: to encourage fruit production, sterile branches must be eliminated to encourage the growth of fruit buds.
The right time for pruning
It’s also essential to respect the recommended pruning period. Late summer, after the harvest, is often the best time to prune most fruit trees.
Certain species, such as cherries and plums, prefer summer pruning to avoid certain diseases specific to these species. Pruning fruit trees in late summer is a complex task that requires a good knowledge of the species.
You now have the five essential points to know when pruning your fruit trees. If you’re afraid of making a mistake, you can always call in a professional.
