Prune Fruit Trees: [Importance, Season, Tools, Considerations and Steps]

Pruning fruit trees is one of the tasks that becomes mandatory when we have some of them planted.

Thanks to the fact that their production is of high interest for the consumption of the fruits that each one of them gives, applying a correct pruning carries even more importance.

Of course, this is a task that must be carried out with great caution because any uncalculated damage could be fatal. If you are in need of valuable information regarding this topic, do not miss a single line because here we will tell you everything.

Why prune fruit trees?

The main reason that motivates fruit trees to be pruned has to do with the quantity and quality of the fruits produced.Proper pruning of a healthy and well-nourished tree will result in good-sized, superior-quality fruit.

On the contrary, when pruning is not part of regular care, the most normal thing is that the fruits are smaller and with little flavor. Another reason that leads to pruning fruit trees has to do with their general health, since it is convenient to remove the parts in poor condition.

Pruning may be necessary in large fruit trees that are causing problems in the environment by taking up a lot of space. So, pruning is the only way that will help solve the problem and this is a point that applies from youth with training pruning.

When is it better to carry out pruning of fruit trees?

What is most recommended in the pruning of fruit trees is that it be carried out during the beginning of spring to give the tree the opportunity to recover.

Thanks to the fact that on this date the sap begins its movement throughout the structure again, the wounds will be able to heal before flowering.

In summer, it is sometimes convenient to pinch the branches in order to promote their size and generate more flowers and fruits. Pruning during late autumn and winter is totally contraindicated because it can be detrimental to the structure.

During these moments of rest, the risk of bacteria or fungi staying in the wounds increases more.

What tools should we use when pruning fruit trees?

The tools will go according to the size of the tree and the conditions of the branches. When they are young fruit trees, the use of normal pruning shears is usually sufficient because the branches are thin.

In the case of adult trees, it will be necessary to complement the task with a handsaw or an electric saw depending on the type of branch to be cut.

If the fruit tree is very tall, you may need a ladder to reach all areas of the canopy.

What considerations should we take into account when pruning fruit trees?

The first thing is to consider the general structure of the tree. To have greater ease around this, it is a good plan to look at it from a distance. Thanks to this action you will be able to detect the branches that must be pruned and thus move forward safely at the time of the task.

It is also necessary to check the tree from the inside and notice the way the light penetrates to define if it is necessary to clarify a little or not.If the tree is close to a structure, such as a wall, review the safest way to work trimming branches that are colliding.

How to prune fruit trees without damaging the tree?

The pruning of fruit trees will follow a more or less similar pattern in all cases:

1. Remove all parts that are not fulfilling any valuable function in the tree, such as dry branches, withered leaves, suckers and branches that are born from the trunk in the lower parts. Ideally, trees should develop a canopy that faces sideways at the top.
2. Lighten the center by removing branches that have weak structure or are tangled or bumping into each other. Due to these conditions it will be very difficult for them to prosper in the development of flowers and fruits.
3. In the summer time, it stimulates the youngest branches with pinching at the tips that promote their growth and the subsequent production of new fruits.
4. Reduce the size of all those branches that are very long so that you can give the tree a better structure, always verifying that there is symmetry between the sides to prevent the weight from going to one end and damaging it.

Fruit trees are key pieces in any home garden and proper pruning is something that occupies even the most experienced gardeners. Taking care of all the guidelines that we provide you today, you will be able to give your fruit tree an excellent structure even if it is the first time you do it.

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