Fruit tree pruning: when & how?

Growing your own fruit is incredibly rewarding. With many fruit tree varieties available on the market today, you could be harvesting fresh produce all year round. But it's important to maintain your trees so they're both healthy and fruitful. Tree pruning is one of the best ways to do this.

Pruning is a simple, practical job that helps to balance a tree's growth with the amount of fruit you're able to harvest. This means you'll get great results for years to come. It's also an efficient way to help the roots grow stronger. A strong root system means the tree will be able to withstand extreme weather much easier. We're going to look at the different types of trees and the best ways to care for them. So, keep reading to find out when to prune fruit trees and the best techniques to use.

Prune apple and plum trees during the winter months, trim cherry trees in dry seasons like late winter, and cut back olive trees in late spring or early summer.
Use clean hand pruners, shears, loppers, or a pruning saw to carefully remove 10% to 20% of the branches, making sure to protect the fruiting wood.
Cut away any upright water shoots, dead or diseased wood, and branches that cross over each other to improve air circulation and let sunlight reach the fruit.

When do you prune fruit trees?

Different trees require pruning at different times of the year. By pruning your fruit tree throughout the winter, you'll be encouraging it to flourish and grow. It also helps you remove any potential problem areas that might interfere with its health.
- Apple trees and plum trees are best pruned in winter
- Cherry trees should be pruned in dry seasons
- Olive trees should be pruned in late spring or early summer
In between your routine pruning, you can care for your trees in other simple ways. This involves keeping the surrounding soil healthy by weeding, watering, and mowing around the base of the tree, all of which stop other plants from stealing valuable nutrients and moisture.

How do you prune apple trees?

If you're wondering when to prune apple trees, the best time of year is the winter. Pruning apple trees while they're dormant helps them prepare for a busy and productive spring.

Hand pruners are a great tool for this job as they’ll help you achieve precise and healthy cuts.
- You should look to remove 10% to 20% of the apple tree's branches, but it's important not to overdo it. If you cut too much, you could potentially remove the fruiting wood.
- Start by focusing your attention on any water shoots. These are vigorous, upright branches that grow quickly and can weaken the overall structure. Cut them back cleanly to keep the tree strong and balanced.

How do you prune a plum tree?

Knowing when to prune plum trees in the UK is important for a good harvest. Winter is a great time for pruning your plum tree as it's almost time for it to season. If you're not sure when to prune plum trees exactly, aim for a dry day in late winter. This protects the fresh cuts from damp weather.

Pruning shears are a good choice for pruning plum trees. They help you snip away any unwanted water shoots with ease.
- Much like apple tree pruning, you should only remove 10% to 20% of the branches.
- Take your time and step back to check your progress. You want to avoid over-pruning.
- Make sure you don't remove any of the delicate flowering buds.

How do you prune cherry trees?

Cherry trees need a slightly different approach. If you're looking up when to prune cherry trees, they’re best tackled during dry weather seasons, with late winter and early spring being ideal. This is just a few months before they start to blossom. You can use a pruning saw for pruning cherry trees.
- Use a pruning saw to remove any diseased branches.
- Cut away any branches which cross over or rub against each other. This encourages healthy growth and allows good airflow through the leaves.
- Finish the job by trimming back any overgrown branches. Thinning out the canopy helps the sunlight reach the cherries as they grow.

How do you prune olive trees and fig trees?

Olive trees love the sun. The best time of year to prune olive trees is late spring or early summer. The weather is milder then, and it's just before the tree starts flowering.
- Using loppers, remove any upright branches. Cut as close to the base as possible.
- You'll also need to thin out the olive trees' branches. If you stand underneath the tree, you should be able to clearly see some sunlight. And you shouldn't let an olive tree get too tall, either.

If you're pruning fig trees, the rules are quite similar. Aim to trim them in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. - Remove any dead wood and thin the centre to let the light in. This helps the figs ripen properly during the warmer summer months.

Pruning soft fruit: raspberries and gooseberries

It's not just trees that need attention; soft fruits rely on a regular trim too. If you want to know when to prune a raspberry bush, it depends on the variety you're growing. For summer-fruiting types, cut back the old brown canes right after you finish picking. For autumn-fruiting varieties, wait until late winter. Pruning raspberries regularly gives you much juicier fruit.

When it comes to pruning gooseberries, tackle them in mid-winter. Cut out any dead wood and trim low-lying branches. This makes picking the fruit much easier and keeps the plant healthy.

What about pruning tomato plants?

Pruning tomato plants is slightly different from standard tree pruning. It's often called pinching out.
- Look for the small shoots growing in the joint between the main stem and the side branches. Pinch these out with your fingers while they're still small. This stops the plant from becoming too bushy.
- This focuses the plant's energy on growing tasty tomatoes rather than growing lots of extra leaves.

Caring for your pruning tools

It's vital to keep your tools sharp and clean. A clean, sharp cut heals faster, giving your plants a healthier, longer life. You’ll also want to wipe your blades down after use to stop diseases spreading between your plants.

Pruning your fruit trees is an easy job that's vital towards their health. Each type of tree needs different care and attention during different seasons. In doing this, your trees will have a longer lifespan. And you can enjoy tasty fruit year after year. Looking for some more gardening tips? Check out our garden calendar to find out which other jobs you should be doing at this time of year.

FAQs

You'll need a few basics depending on the size of the branches. Hand pruners are great for small twigs. Pruning shears and loppers handle medium branches easily. For thicker wood, a pruning saw is the best choice.

Yes, you can. We recommend removing no more than 10% to 20% of the canopy in one year. If you cut away too much, the tree will put all its energy into growing new leaves instead of producing fruit. Always avoid over-pruning to protect fruiting wood and buds.

Healthy branches can be chopped up and added to your compost bin. Or you can leave small piles of logs in the corner of your garden to create habitats for local wildlife. If the wood is diseased, it's best to dispose of it straight away so it doesn't spread.