Best Time To Prune Fruit Trees
Maybe you were inspired last spring when you were rolling your cart by the fruit trees at Costco or Home Depot. You might have brought a beautiful new fruit tree home, dug a hole, plunked it in the ground, and . . . fast-forward to today, you have a fruit tree that may be looking like it needs a serious haircut.
Are you wondering when the best time to prune your fruit tree is? You’re not alone! Many people have this question, and it’s a good one. Unfortunately, there are some terrible advice and tips for pruning fruit trees. We want to clear up some confusion on the subject and give you some professional tips–this will keep mistakes to a minimum. Speaking of professional tips, if you don’t want to get your hands dirty, Big Rock Landscaping has decades of expertise. They know that knowing when to prune fruit trees is an important part of taking care of your fruit tree, and if it’s done at the wrong time or the wrong way, it can actually do more harm than good. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a professional service if this tasks seems too daunting.
Pruning Fruit Trees Basics
Fruit trees need regular maintenance and pruning. By pruning a fruit tree, you open up the tree canopy to allow more sunlight into the inner parts of the tree. Fruit requires sunlight to ripen and if old branches and leaves are creating a shade cover for the fruit, you won’t have the opportunity to bite into a juicy peach or apple. Removing old branches also improves the airflow within the fruit tree canopy, which decreases the likelihood that the tree will develop a fungal problem.
Do you want to be able to reach your fruit? Keeping the tree compact helps you to be able to not only reach the fruit, but also helps to improve the strength of the tree by not allowing it to get too out of hand in size. When done correctly, pruning encourages a fabulous supply of new fruit-bearing limbs.
No matter what you may be trimming, it’s important to remember that the goal of pruning is minimal removal–you should aim to only remove what is needed. If you prune regularly throughout the life of your fruit tree, you will only need to remove shoots and small branches each time. Everything that is removed should be done in a way that enhances the overall shape and health of the tree.
If you are hesitant regarding your pruning skills, it’s important to call in a team of professionals. Pruning requires safety equipment including a steady ladder, sharp tools, gloves, and more. Mistakes made during pruning can ultimately have a negative impact on the long term growth of the fruit tree as well as its production.
The Best Time To Prune Fruit Trees
While you can prune your trees at any time, there are a few things to keep in mind during each season.
Spring
If you prune fruit trees in spring, it’s important to be cautious to not prune out too many branches because it may cause an excessive loss of sap, which has the potential to lower the amount of fruit you may yield. Pruning in early spring when the plant is still dormant before buds break is ideal during this season.
Summer
Summer pruning is best done when you aren’t overly concerned about the amount of fruit that you will get. It may also be a good time to really cut back a tree that is overgrown or has not been treated in many years. Other factors with pruning at this time of year can result in leaves being removed, which can actually expose the fruit or the trunk of the tree to sunburn.
Fall
Looking to prune fruit trees in the fall? Your highest rate of success will be to wait until the late fall, when the fruit tree has become dormant. This is best for the tree and easiest for the pruner, as it is easier to see where you have made your cuts after the leaves have dropped.
Winter
Winter is considered to be the best time to prune trees in Utah, as the tree is dormant at this time of year. During winter, you have ultimate access to the structure of the tree without any leaves getting in the way, so get after it! However, you do want to be careful when pruning at this time of year. If your outdoor temperature falls below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, the intense cold may not allow the tree to grow back. Done correctly, this season of pruning can result in the biggest return on your crop of produce!
DISCOVER: Best Trees For Utah Landscaping
Big Rock Landscaping: Your Utah Landscaping Experts
Big Rock Landscaping can help you find the answers to all of your pruning questions. We have a passion for creating the perfect outdoor space for families, whether that be expansive lawns and landscaping spaces or an abundant fruit orchard.
The team at Big Rock Landscaping is committed to providing an unparalleled level of customer service and professionalism as they design and create beautiful and livable spaces in a natural outdoor environment.
Whatever your vision, Big Rock Landscaping offers the best landscaping services. We have the best artistic tools, professional resources, and design expertise as well as installation and maintenance services in both commercial and residential areas along the Wasatch Front. Their professional, artistic eye, and attention to detail can help with every stage of the landscaping process. From the initial design concepts to the demolition and construction, Big Rock Landscaping works tirelessly to develop and maintain your perfect landscape.
Contact Big Rock Landscaping today to bring your outdoor dreams to reality.
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