Q. My new trees (apple, plum, peach) were planted a month
ago and appear healthy. I watched several YouTube videos and am nervously ready
to trim these trees. Being nearly May and heat coming on, should I wait until
next year or just do it now?
ago and appear healthy. I watched several YouTube videos and am nervously ready
to trim these trees. Being nearly May and heat coming on, should I wait until
next year or just do it now?
 |
| Delay major pruning of any tree to the winter months. It is safer for the tree, it reduces sun damage, the form of the tree (if its deciduous) is easier to see. |
A. I usually prune right after planting in January or
February. My rule of thumb is 90% of my pruning is directed towards improving
the structure of the tree and only 10% is concerned with production; the second
year focuses 50% of my pruning efforts on the structure and 50 % toward production and by the third year only about
10% focuses on the trees structure and 90%
on production.
February. My rule of thumb is 90% of my pruning is directed towards improving
the structure of the tree and only 10% is concerned with production; the second
year focuses 50% of my pruning efforts on the structure and 50 % toward production and by the third year only about
10% focuses on the trees structure and 90%
on production.
Tree Architecture is Easier to See
Each
year the trees structure is evaluated but most pruning focuses on entering
production no later than the third year of growth in the ground. Some older
varieties may take longer than that. Do I keep a few fruit to savor earlier
than this? Of course! But only a few. I’m encouraging as much good growth as
possible and getting rid of unnecessary growth as early as possible.
year the trees structure is evaluated but most pruning focuses on entering
production no later than the third year of growth in the ground. Some older
varieties may take longer than that. Do I keep a few fruit to savor earlier
than this? Of course! But only a few. I’m encouraging as much good growth as
possible and getting rid of unnecessary growth as early as possible.
Always Carry Your Hand Shears
I always
carry a sanitized and sharpened hand pruner on my walks through the Orchard any
time of year. I never know when I’ll see something that needs my attention.
Better to remove small amounts of unnecessary growth early in the season than
wait until December or January and remove a large limb.
carry a sanitized and sharpened hand pruner on my walks through the Orchard any
time of year. I never know when I’ll see something that needs my attention.
Better to remove small amounts of unnecessary growth early in the season than
wait until December or January and remove a large limb.
 |
| This is a locust tree that had too much pruning. The bark of this tree burned in the strong Mojave Desert sunlight. Be careful when you remove limbs from trees growing in the desert. Removing too much or removing at the wrong time of year can result is sunburn of the trunk and limbs of trees. |
Light
pruning can be done now or anytime but in the Mojave Desert be careful of
removing too much which can contribute to sunburn of the limbs and fruit. Since
we are in late spring, wait until December or January to do any major pruning.
You can lightly prune fruit trees all
year long if they need it but don’t remove too much. Summer pruning is done
about now to older trees to keep them smaller but that’s for the experienced
fruit tree grower.