Most fruit trees are best pruned during winter. Some trees, like orange trees, can be trimmed and pruned in early spring instead of winter.
Some fruit trees, like cherry and apricot trees, require summer pruning. Don’t prune too much during the summer or you could slow down the fruit’s ripening process and expose the fruit to sunburn. [2] X Research source If you’re not sure whether your tree needs summer pruning, consult a botanist. Botanists are specially trained experts who know a lot about plants. They can help you determine whether or not summer pruning is appropriate for your tree.
If you’d like a taller tree that is good for sitting under in summer and fall, make this initial pruning cut at a higher point on the young tree. [4] X Research source
Irregular pruning does not have a universally constant definition. It refers instead to the practice of trimming the tree to a lesser extent than you would a normal, mature tree. You might trim it once each winter, or not at all. There are some physical signs that your young fruit tree is ready for pruning. Look for healthy growth characterized by a strong framework of permanent branches. Absent this framework of branches, prune your young fruit tree more often.
Perform thinning cuts on branches that are at least 50% smaller than the diameter of their parent branch. [9] X Research source
If you don’t have pruning tools of your own, you might be able to rent some from your local hardware store – a good option for a tool you might use for only a few hours each year.
Remove competing and downward-growing branches. Downward-growing branches generally do not produce a very high fruit yield. Generally, do not prune branches that are growing out of the trunk at about a 45-degree angle. Anything growing at a much smaller or larger angle should be pruned. [13] X Research source
This system is appropriate for most trees, and crucial for apple, pear, cherry, and European blue plum trees. For a few fruit trees – peach, nectarine, apricot, and Japanese plum trees – pruning to a central leader is unnecessary.
