In this video, Tricia shares her tips for summer pruning and thinning of fruit trees.
Summer Pruning and Thinning for Fruit Trees: Tips for a Healthy Harvest
Summer is the perfect time to give your fruit trees some extra care with pruning and thinning. These essential practices help maintain the size and shape of your trees, improve fruit quality, and prepare them for next year’s blooms. Let’s explore how and why to prune and thin your fruit trees in the summer.
Why Summer Pruning is Important
Summer pruning is primarily aimed at controlling the size and shape of your fruit trees. It also allows sunlight to penetrate the canopy, which boosts the flavor and quality of the fruit. Additionally, adequate light exposure helps develop flowers for next year’s crop. Depending on the variety of your fruit tree, you can prune up to three times during the non-dormant season.
When to Prune
Look for terminal (end) buds to determine the right time for pruning. Once about 75% of the tree’s terminal buds have stopped growing, it’s time to prune. For mature apple and pear trees, prune earlier to keep them smaller and reduce excessive green growth, such as upright shoots and water sprouts. Removing these in summer helps redirect the tree’s energy toward the fruit.
Pruning Techniques
Focus on thinning cuts rather than heading cuts during summer. Thinning cuts are made close to the branch collar, which helps maintain the tree’s structure and reduces the need for extensive dormant season pruning. Pay special attention to cherries and apricots, which benefit from pruning after harvest.
Thinning Fruit for Better Quality
Thinning fruit may feel counterintuitive, but it’s vital for the health of the tree and the quality of the harvest. Thinning increases fruit size and quality, reduces disease risk, and minimizes alternate bearing (the cycle of heavy fruiting one year and little to none the next). For apples and pears, thin the fruit after the natural June drop, leaving about three inches of space between fruit.
Tips for Success
- Remove dead or diseased wood, which is easier to spot when the tree is fully leafed out.
- For clustered fruits like apples, keep the largest fruit in each cluster and pinch off the rest.
- Discard any fruit with insect damage or disease to ensure a healthier harvest.
By pruning and thinning your fruit trees in the summer, you’ll not only enjoy a more abundant harvest but also ensure your trees remain healthy for years to come. So grab your pruning tools, head to the orchard, and enjoy the rewarding experience of caring for your trees organically!
