Pruning Fruit Trees
I was delighted to learn of the topic of this month’s newsletter, ‘Shaping the Future by Looking Forward and Backward’.
This is the perfect metaphor for pruning fruit trees, a task that requires a bit of historical perspective as well as a vision for the future. What we learn from the past helps us build our vision and access our goals and hopes for our fruit trees.
This relates to pruning fruit trees because we are able to see the effects of the previous year’s pruning and make adjustments to our shaping as needed.
It is also no coincidence that the time for pruning is during the winter months (Between Feb and March), when the tree is in its dormancy. Pruning fruit trees can be extremely rewarding, but it takes intention, courage, risk taking, faith, observation, and a bit of skill. However, before I cover some of the techniques, first let’s explore what pruning is.
Pruning at its basic level is a technique for trimming off any dead, diseased, or damaged limbs and branches.
This helps the tree maintain strength and vigor while encouraging an overall shape that will support future growth, especially in the form of flowers and thus fruit. A common problem with old fruit trees is that water shoots and branches don’t get pruned thus shading the inner branches of the trees. Blossoms need both light and air flow, so after a few years of neglect the fruit production will drop.
By trimming out dead limbs that are not providing leaves for the tree to absorb food by way of sunlight, it helps to open the inside of the tree to more light, thus encouraging more fruit.
On a more esoteric level, pruning is a way to develop a relationship with your tree. That’s right! Building a relationship with your gardens and especially fruit trees is a good way to ensure that you are both thriving. You take a risk. You make a choice. It responds. You assess and reassess depending on fruit production and overall health and vigor. The process can be organic and regenerative for both the tree and the pruner.
In preparation for pruning, you might stand back and observe the tree you are about to trim.
Every tree has a unique composition that is good to recognize. I like to spend a few minutes looking at the overall structure of the tree and imagining what cuts I will make first. Here is a list to guide your observations.
Shape: Peach trees like an open center or bowl shape while apples and other stone fruits prefer a central leader. What is a central leader? When there is one prominent upright leader or trunk that all other branches will stem from. Perhaps it is developing two strong leaders that look promising for a future of fruit. Are there any water shoots or other branches that are growing towards the inside of the tree?
Branches: In general, you want to cut out any branches that growing inwards towards the center because these will just end up shading the inner parts of the trees. Also, if the tree is still young (less than 5 years old), you will want to make sure that any branch bearing fruit is strong enough to hold the fruit. If not, you will have to pick unripened fruit if it is bending the branch too much. You will also notice that there is a natural “scaffold whorl” pattern in which the branches spiral up the tree, around the trunk. The space between the branches should be no less than 6 in.
Angle: The angle of the branches is important for light and air -flow as well as to maximize fruit production. The optimal angle of where the branch meets the trunk is between 45 and 60 degrees. Anything too vertical or too wide will be at risk of breaking from weight of snow or fruit.
The important thing to remember is to not get daunted by the task and many details of pruning.
Next month, I will cover different types of cuts, ie. Heading cuts (pruning approximately 1/3 of a branch at a bud, to encourage vigor) and thinning cuts (cutting an entire branch where it meets the trunk to bring in more light and air). I will also discuss the proper angle and technique to pruning with both saws and loppers. Until then, happy planning!
Sources:
Reich, Lee. (2010). The Pruning Book, Lee Reich. The Taunton Press.
“Fedco Trees Tips for Renovating Old Apple Trees.” Fedco. (N.d.). https://www.fedcoseeds.com/trees/renovating.htm