If you’ve planted fruit trees such as apple, peach or persimmon in hopes of enjoying the crop, you’ll need to prune them.
“Fruit tree pruning can have different goals than pruning typical landscape trees and shrubs,” said Spencer Campbell, manager of the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle.
When you prune trees that have been planted for shade and beauty, such as maples, tulip trees or magnolias, your goals are to improve the strength or longevity of the tree, remove decay or manage diseases and pests.
With fruit trees, you’re usually pruning to encourage the tree to set more fruit and to make sure that fruit is evenly distributed and exposed to sunlight so it can ripen. You’re also aiming to create a strong branch structure that will support the weight of ripe fruit. “Most orchard owners prune their trees every winter,” Campbell said.
Too many branches or shoots in the interior of a fruit tree can block sunlight, which will reduce flowering and fruit production. Regular pruning to open up the interior allows the sun can reach every ripening apple, cherry or pear.
Removing surplus interior growth also increases air circulation, which can help limit disease problems. “Many disease organisms thrive on wet leaves,” he said. “Better airflow will help
leaves dry off faster after rain.”
Some common fruit trees, such as apples, peaches and cherries, set the best fruit on two-year-old wood. Some, such as persimmons, bear fruit on both first- and second-year wood. Either way, only regular pruning, which stimulates new growth, will produce a regular supply of fruiting wood.
As with any tree, the winter dormant season is a good time for pruning. Try to get the work done before mid-March.
Orchard growers’ yearly pruning is very severe because they are aiming for maximum yield. “That may not be a good look on a tree in a home landscape,” Campbell said. “For homeowners, it’s more about finding a balance between appearance and fruit production.”
Before you prune, research the particular species and cultivated variety you’ve planted. Look for pruning advice aimed at homeowners, not big-production fruit farmers. It’s a good idea to study your tree during the growing season and make plans for how you will want to prune it come winter.
“It may take some trial and error to learn how best to prune your tree,” he said. “But the taste of the sweet fruit should make all the hard work worth it.”
For tree and plant advice, contact the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum (630-719-2424, mortonarb.org/plant-clinic, or plantclinic@mortonarb.org). Beth Botts is a staff writer at the Arboretum.