Specialized Advice for Fruit Tree Pruning

January 27, 2012 Grow Organic

Introduction

Walk through the process of pruning a bare root fruit tree in Tricia's video, where she prunes her new peach tree. Are you ready to plant and prune some bare root trees? The video has all the basic steps you need. Pursue some special pruning topics (like espalier) in more detail with these resources.

Books

Do you own The Vegetable Gardener's Bible? The hot-off-the presses companion volume is The Fruit Gardener's Bible, with info on everything from pollination to pruning.

If you're growing fruit trees in California you should own The Home Orchard, written by Chuck Ingels (Farm Advisor in Sacramento) and others from the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources staff.

University of California Fruit Tree Pruning

The University of California provides information to county Farm Advisors and Master Gardeners all over the state. Here are some of their helpful links for your backyard orchard: The Cooperative Extension for Sacramento County outlines Training and Pruning Fruit Trees. University of California, Davis provides a guide to Fruit Trees: Planting and Care of Young Trees. Do you have a mature fruit tree that needs reshaping? Find out how to address that tricky problem with another publication from the University of California, Davis -- Fruit Trees: Pruning Overgrown Deciduous Trees. These are good guidelines, but if you're outside of California and curious about the particular advice for your area, contact your local Cooperative Extension (Farm Advisors and Master Gardeners).

Multi-graft trees are special cases

Dave Wilson Nursery, the grower of our multi-budded (or multi-graft) fruit and nut trees, offers expert tips on pruning these unusual trees. Bottom line -- don't let one variety take over the tree, and be cautious in dormant or summer pruning of smaller branches.

Conclusion

Pruning a bare root fruit tree is an essential step in establishing strong structure, encouraging healthy growth, and maximizing fruit production. With the right techniques—like those demonstrated in Tricia’s video—and guidance from trusted resources such as university extension programs and expert growers, even beginners can prune with confidence. Whether you’re shaping a young tree, maintaining a mature one, or managing a multi-graft variety, thoughtful and consistent pruning will help your orchard thrive for years to come.

FAQs About Pruning Bare Root Fruit Trees

When should I prune a bare root fruit tree?

Bare root fruit trees should be pruned at planting time, typically during the dormant season (late winter to early spring). This helps balance the root system with the top growth and encourages strong structure.

Why is pruning important for young fruit trees?

Pruning helps shape the tree, improves air circulation, and directs energy into developing strong branches. Proper early pruning leads to better fruit production and a healthier tree long-term.

How much should I prune a newly planted fruit tree?

Most experts recommend cutting the main trunk (heading cut) to about knee height (24–30 inches) and removing damaged or weak branches. The exact amount depends on the tree type and structure.

How do you prune multi-graft fruit trees?

Multi-graft trees require careful pruning to keep all varieties balanced. Avoid letting one variety dominate by selectively pruning more vigorous branches and maintaining even growth across all grafts.

Where can I find reliable pruning guides?

Trusted resources include university extension programs such as those from the University of California, which provide research-based guides on planting, training, and pruning fruit trees at different growth stages.