Basic Fruit Tree
Pruning Instructions

Following simple fruit tree pruning instructions will ensure your fruit trees enjoy good health, disease management, and better fruit yield.

By pruning your fruit trees, you stimulate shoot growth, control the size and shape of the tree, and improve the quality of the fruit.

If you have not pruned before, don't worry! It is not difficult, and you'll get a real feel for how to prune fruit trees the more you work at it. And it's worth every minute!


How to Prune Fruit Trees

The best time to prune fruit trees and shrubs is in early spring while the tree is still dormant, before growth activity begins. This is when pruning wounds heal best and you can easily see the buds to work around.

Here's a good basic list of tree types to choose for your yard as you learn how to prune fruit trees:

Apple  ▪  Apricot  ▪  Cherry  ▪  Peach  ▪  Nectarine  
Pear  ▪  Plum

Fruit Tree Pruning Instructions
For Different Types Of Trees

You'll want to follow a few specific fruit tree pruning instructions for different types of fruit trees. For instance, apple trees need a different pruning system than peach trees. Here are the basics:

  • The Central-Leader System:

    This is used for pruning apple trees, pear trees, and sweet cherry trees. A "central leader" is the main stem or trunk of the tree from which other lateral branches develop.

    Fruit tree pruning instructions for this method are based around thinning the lateral branches.

  • The Open-Center System:

    Used for peach tree pruning, as well as pruning plum trees, nectarine trees, apricot trees and sour cherry trees where there is no dominant, vertical trunk (central leader).

    Open center fruit tree pruning instructions are based around three or four main limbs set at wide angles with about five lesser branches on each.

  • The Modified-Leader System:

    Mostly used for nut bearing trees, this can also be applied when pruning apple trees and pear trees. Modified-leader fruit tree pruning instructions are based upon giving the central leader and three or four lateral branches equal importance.

With this in mind, here are basic fruit tree pruning instructions that will get you off to a good start to getting the balance you want of shoot growth and fruit production:

General Fruit Tree Pruning Instructions

  1. Always use sharp shears or saws so your cuts are clean. Use pruning shears on young trees and limbs less than 1/2 inch diameter, and lopping shears for your bigger cuts. For mature fruit trees, use a pruning saw.

  2. Begin by removing dead wood and broken branches. Then cut out any wood that crosses or rubs against any other branches. This opens up the middle so the sun can get to all the fruit.

  3. Make your cut close to a bud, to a joint in the branch, or to the trunk; never leave a stub. The pruning cut should be just above a bud. Make the cut at a backwards angle of about 30 degrees.

  4. Prune stems just above a pair of opposing strong shoots or buds. If shoots or buds are staggered, choose a strong one and prune just above it.

  5. Keep more horizontal branches, and prune more vertical branches.

  6. Remove suckers (shoots) from around the base of the tree.

  7. Get rid of all debris which can harbor pests and disease.

Learning how to prune fruit trees may seem difficult at first… but follow these basics plus the fruit tree pruning instructions for each type of tree, and you'll be on your way to a homegrown and healthy fruit harvest every year!

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