Fruit Tree Pruning Instructions

Fruit trees have a special place in a gardener's heart as well as in their gardens. For most gardeners, planting a fruit tree, raising it, and watching it bear fruit, is almost similar to watch a child grow and do well. And just as any parent would do all for the child's growth, the gardener will do all for the fruit tree. Watering, mulching, pruning, fertilizing, spraying pesticide, etc. are some of the things done to help the tree grow better and healthier. Pruning is very important to establish a young fruit tree; whereas for an established tree, pruning will help increase the fruit yield. You may find these fruit tree pruning instructions useful.

Fruit tree pruning guide: Easy steps to fruit tree pruning
While pruning, it is essential to have good garden tools, like different sized sharp garden shears, or pruning saw to make clean cuts. Blunt or rusted shears damage the branches cut, even making them susceptible to diseases. Prune during dormant or after fruit production season is over. There is no need to dress the pruned tips, the trees have their own disease fighting mechanism. In young plants, make cuts close and above to a bud, a joint in the branch, or to the trunk, and always at an angle of 30 degrees. It is preferable to cut back vertical branches than horizontal. This will help the tree to branch out, by producing lateral shoots. Cut out any dead or diseased wood that has entwined itself among the main branches. This will allow for more air circulation, and more sunlight will penetrate through for the branches and leaves. Remove all suckers from around the base of the tree, because as these young shoots grow, they will hamper the mother plant. Once all the pruning is done, clear all debris which can harbor pests and disease.

Fruit tree pruning techniques for optimal yield
For fruit trees to bear large and healthy fruits, their number on the tree should be reduced, this can be done through two ways; branches and fruits. Excess branches should be cut down along with dead or damaged ones. As one is planning to grow larger fruits, it would be best to cut out the weakest branches and leave only the ones which are strong enough to support the weight of fruit. But be careful while pruning, don't get too 'snip-happy', and damage the tree. For the fruit pruning, wait till all fruit buds have developed on the branches. Stand back, and take a look at the branches, that are heavily laden with fruits. Using small, sharp shears, cut back the number of fruits per branches. Prune away the smallest, weakest, spotted or diseased ones first. Do not hurt the other fruits, while cutting back the number of fruits. After cutting, if the stem bleeds or milks, wipe it dry, don't let it seep onto other fruits.

Fruit tree pruning tips
Besides the common fruit tree pruning instructions, every fruit tree also has individual requirements that need to be looked into. Following are a few guidelines for pruning some of the common fruit trees.

Citrus trees
Citrus trees, such as lime, lemon, orange, grapefruits, etc. are pruned only once they are well established and at least 4 years old. While pruning them, first prune dead branches, and then the long, slender ones. The branches have to be strong to support the fruit, and they should be pruned in such a way, that the sunlight should reach the fruit, in order for them to ripen. Prune every year, after the fruit has ripened.

Avocado trees
Avocado trees can reach a height of 60 feet and spread up to 35 feet wide. So the pruning depends upon the gardener's requirement. It is preferable to keep them on the shorter side, as it would be difficult to manage the fruit. Avocado pruning bleeds the tree, if the cuts are deeper than three inches, clean it and apply water emulsion paint, to avoid infection to the tree. Prune avocado trees in early spring, and once in a year.

Cherry trees
Cherry trees are slow growers, so they need very little pruning. They should be pruned sparingly in the summer, mainly in order to reduce the spread of silver leaf disease, which occurs on damaged branches. Prune only those branches that are dead, damaged, diseased or are hampering the growth of other branches. As the cherry tree also bleeds, treat all cuts with a disinfecting pruning paste.

Apple trees
A young apple tree should be pruned to encourage lateral shoots. Keep pruning horizontal branches in the upper portion of the tree to maintain a lateral shape. The center of the apple tree should be kept free of growth. Remove all weak or diseased growth. As the apple grows on wood produced the previous year, prune them the least. Prune apple trees in late winter or very early spring, before any new growth sprouts.

Pruning a young tree is different from mature fruit tree pruning. Start pruning earlier, to not only encourage new growth but also give shape to the fruit tree. Armed with the above fruit tree pruning instructions, one can never go wrong!