Starting in early spring, around February, it is time to think pruning.
Productive fruit trees are pruned once a year in one of three forms (vase, central leader, or modified central leader). The type of fruit also dictates the type of care needed for the tree. Vase is the most common form and creates an open center allowing sunlight to reach all the branches. The central leader form shapes the tree to one tall trunk that extends up through the tree. This is a good pruning for but makes it difficult to reach fruit at the top of the tree. The modified central-leader form combines the strength for a central trunk with the open sun filled center of the vase form.
Start pruning by removing any waterspouts or suckershoots(branches that will stick straight up). Next examine the tree for any branches that are broken, rubbing on each other, damaged severely, or diseased and remove them. These branches have the potential to become susceptible to infection. With this pruning complete, a clearer view of the remaining work, if any is necessary, will be more apparent. If your tree is a stone fruit (plum, pear, apricot, cherry) we recommend using a pruning sealer after removing the branches. We recommend a brush on sealer from Bonide.
If you are interested in more information about pruning your fruit trees, please feel free to stop by any time and talk to one of our Master Gardeners about your project.
