It is best to prune lightly or moderately every year. Severe pruning upsets the tree balance and results in over-stimulating the growth of water sprouts or suckers, which cause excessive shading and affect fruit color and delay maturity. Pruning helps to maintain the structure and form of the tree and also helps to maintain the size of the tree. Opening up the tree canopy is important because it permits adequate air movement, which promotes rapid drying after rains to minimize disease infection and also allows thorough pesticide penetration. Heavily shaded fruit is small, less-colored and not as sweet as the same fruit exposed to light. Fruits should be exposed to bright light every day during the growing season. Light is essential for flower bud formation and also affects fruit set and fruit quality. Light penetration is important because flower buds for the current season’s crop are formed the previous summer. The main objective of pruning is to open up the tree canopy to maximize light penetration and allow air movement through the tree. Proper training and pruning are essential for the development of productive fruit trees. Wait two to three days after the temperature is above 10☏ to resume pruning. To avoid injury if the extended weather forecast is calling for temperatures below 0☏, stop pruning the trees for three to four days before the cold spell. Avoid pruning early in the winter because this may cause severe winter injury to the trees. The ideal time to prune most fruit trees is anytime between February and April. It is important to prune your fruit trees at the right time to avoid the risk of damage to the crop. Pruning is one of the most important cultural practices in growing apples and other fruit crops. Article by Geoffrey Njue , former SDSU Extension Specialty Crops Field Specialist.įebruary is a good time to start pruning your fruit crops.

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