Atwood LawnCare

Fruit trees can be pruned during the summer and during the dormant season. Trees respond very differently to winter (dormant) and summer pruning. Most people prune during the winter. However, if a tree is pruned heavily during the winter, it responds by producing many new, vigorous, upright shoots called watersprouts. Watersprouts are undesirable because they can shade the fruiting wood of the tree and have a negative impact on fruit production. Heavy dormant pruning also promotes excessive vegetative growth at the expense of fruit production. Correct, light dormant pruning can improve the shape of the tree, improve light penetration, and increase fruit production. Dormant pruning should be done after the chance of a hard freeze has past to avoid winter injury. Late February/early March is preferable.

Summer pruning should be combined with light dormant pruning for best results. Summer pruning results in reduced vegetative growth. Pruning should begin after vegetative growth is several inches long. Generally summer pruning is limited to removing the upright and vigorous current season's growth. Use only thinning cuts (removing the entire branch). Do not prune after July.