Summer is the time for harvesting fruit from your homegrown trees and bushes, but there's also plenty of work that you need to do to make sure the bounty arrives. Pruning is one such task, and you have to know when and how to do it properly for your specific types of trees.

Keep reading for tips on when and how to prune fruit trees!

When Should You Prune Your Fruit Trees?

Pruning shears cutting branches

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It is a common question with many answers. The most important time to prune fruit trees is in the late winter or early spring before the tree produces new growth. However, there are times when you may need to prune your fruit tree throughout the year.

Late Winter or Early Spring Pruning

Pruning during the late winter or early spring will help promote new growth and fruiting. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Also, get rid of any branches crossing or rubbing against each other. Additionally, thin out the canopy of your tree to increase air circulation and sunlight penetration. Finally, cut back any long stems to promote more compact growth.

With proper pruning, your fruit trees will be healthy and productive for many years to come!

Summer Pruning

Summer pruning is typically done to remove any water sprouts or suckers that have grown from the trunk or branches. Water sprouts are vertical shoots that grow rapidly and will basically never produce fruit.

Suckers are lateral shoots that grow fast, but they can compete with the main shoot for nutrients and sunlight. Summer is a good time to prune water sprouts and suckers because it helps them produce more fruit in the following season.

Fall Pruning

Fall pruning happens after you harvest your fruit. This type of pruning helps to stimulate new growth for the following season. Remove any diseased or damaged branches. Thin out the canopy to increase air circulation and sunlight penetration. Finally, cut back any long branches that are weighing down the tree. This will help with new growth and keep the tree healthy.

How To Prune Your Fruit Trees

Gardener pruning a tree

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Pruning your fruit trees may seem like a daunting task, but with a little know-how, it can be easy and even fun! Here are some tips on how to prune your fruit trees:

Right Time Of Year

First, choose the right time of year to prune your trees. The best time to prune most fruit trees is in late winter or early spring before the new growth begins. Note, you can also prune in the summer but the months before and after will be very beneficial.

Take Stock Of Your Project

Next, identify which branches you should remove. Remove any dead or diseased branches, as well as any that are growing too close together. Get rid of any branches that are rubbing against each other as well.

The Right Equipment

When you're ready to start pruning, use sharp pruning shears and a pair of loppers. You might need a bigger blade for thicker branches.

Advantages Of Pruning Your Fruit Trees

Senior Man Pruning Trees

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Here are some of the advantages of pruning your fruit trees:

Helps the tree to produce a great harvest

When you prune a fruit tree, you remove some of the older, non-productive branches. This allows the tree to channel its energy into producing new growth, which results in more fruit.

Better quality fruit

By removing diseased or damaged branches, pruning can help improve the overall health of the tree. It results in better quality fruit, as the tree can put all its efforts into producing a healthy harvest.

Keeps them happy and healthy

By removing dead or dying branches, pruning can help improve the overall health of the tree. This awakens the tree, producing new growth, which helps to keep the tree healthy.

Easier to harvest the fruit

By removing some of the branches, pruning can make it easier to reach and harvest the fruit from the trees. It is especially helpful if you have a large number of fruit trees and not a lot of hands to help out during harvest. Or, if the trees are difficult to reach.

Enjoy Your Abundance of Fruit!

So, there you have it! Our guide to pruning fruit trees like a professional. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your trees are healthy and productive.

Do you have any tips or tricks of your own? Let us know in the comments below! And be sure to check out our other gardening guides for more information on how to care for your garden.