Fruit tree pruning: when & how?

There’s little more rewarding than growing your own fruit, and with many fruit tree varieties on the market, you could be harvesting all year round. It’s important to maintain your trees so that they’re both healthy and fruitful, and pruning is one of the best ways to do this.

Pruning fruit trees is a great way to balance their growth and the amount of fruit you’re able to harvest, meaning you’ll get great results for years to come. It’s also an efficient way to help the roots grow stronger which means the tree will be able to withstand extreme weathers easier. Let’s find out when to prune fruit trees and how’s best to do so.

Pruning is essential for maintaining healthy and productive fruit trees, promoting strong root growth and longevity.
The time and technique you use for pruning trees varies by tree type. Apple and plum trees are best pruned in winter, cherry trees should be pruned in dry seasons, and olive trees should be pruned in late spring/early summer.
When pruning trees, use hand pruners, shears, loppers, or pruning saws depending on the tree and branch type, and always avoid over-pruning to protect fruiting wood and buds.

When do you prune fruit trees?

By pruning your fruit tree throughout the winter, you’ll be encouraging it to flourish and grow while removing any potential problem areas that may interfere with its health. However, different trees require pruning at different times of year. For example, apple trees and plum trees are best pruned in winter, cherry trees should be pruned in dry seasons, and olive trees should be pruned in late spring/early summer.

In between your routine pruning, you can care for your trees by weeding, watering, and mowing around the area.

How do you prune apple trees?

Hand pruners are a great tool for pruning apple trees as they’ll achieve precise and healthy cuts.
The best time of year to prune your apple tree is the winter.
You should be looking to remove 10% to 20% of the apple tree’s branches, but it’s important not to overdo it as you could potentially remove fruiting wood.
Focus on any water shoots (vigorous, upright branches) that may be weakening the structure.

How do you prune a plum tree?

Pruning shears are a good choice for pruning your plum tree, helping to remove any water shoots.
Winter is a great time for pruning your plum tree as it’s almost time for it to season.
Much like apple tree pruning, you should only be removing 10% to 20% of the branches, avoiding over-pruning or removing any flowering buds.

How do you prune cherry trees?

You can use a pruning saw for this job, removing any diseased branches as well as any branches which cross over or rub against each other as this encourages growth and airflow.
Cherry trees are best tackled during dry weather seasons such as late winter and early spring – a few months before they start to blossom.
Finish pruning your cherry tree by trimming overgrown branches and thinning out the canopy.

How do you prune olive trees?

Using loppers, remove any upright branches, cutting as close to the base as possible.
The best time of year to prune olive trees is late spring or early summer as the weather is milder and this is just before the tree starts flowering.
You’ll also need to thin out the olive trees’ branches, making sure that you can clearly see some sunlight if you stand underneath the tree.
You shouldn’t let an olive tree get too tall either.

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Pruning your fruit trees is an easy job that’s vital towards their health, and each type of tree needs different care and attention during different seasons. In doing this, your trees will have a longer lifespan, so you can enjoy tasty fruit year after year. Looking to expand your garden? We’ve got some helpful articles full of tips for growing your own fruit and veg.