How to Properly Prune your Fruit Trees

Hello, Everyone.

With Christmas coming, I know we are all busy getting ready and we have enough to do already. I am sure you are aware of that if you have a fruit tree, which they are budding now and getting ready for winter in Malibu. The winter here is mellow enough yet cold enough to allow us to grow a broad range of fruits.  All of which, besides getting proper nutrition, they require correct pruning.

I know many homeowners that are not happy with their fruit trees for many reasons, and the main one is over pruning by their gardeners. Just like it is better to underwater your fruit trees, it is also better not to over prune your fruit trees.

One should prune their fruit trees for fruit production (flowering) and not just for shape. Whenever you prune, you are removing budding sites as well as shocking the tree. The tree will not produce fruit off a poorly pruned branch. It will produce fruit then the following year(s) depending on how well or poorly it was pruned.

Many fruit trees produce fruit from new growth but the new growth many take a year or two to mature properly.

I would never prune a fruit tree every year. You will not have much fruit if you do that.

Best to first off, only prune dead wood. Any small branches that have died should be removed. Never damage the trunk of the fruit tree when pruning. Next, you prune from the inside out. Anything that is growing from the main trunk that is not off the main branches should be removed. These will never receive enough light to produce and is just a waste of the energy of the tree. When you are removing dead, diseased, or broken or branches that are growing down, be very sure to have a clean cut. It is of particular importance to prune off limbs where the branch and the branch collar meet and not to damage the collar. By doing so, you are helping the collar to heal and protect it from pests and diseases, as well as to ensure new growth (and thus new fruit).

Let us talk a little bit about your tools.

Always clean your tools in-between fruit trees. This is an important way of preventing the spread of diseases.  Many diseases are spread by humans not properly cleaning their tools. Another thing that is important is to have sharp cutting tools. The cleaner the cut, the faster the tree will recover. Clean cuts reduce pests and diseases. Cut close but not too close or flush with the tree. Avoid any damage to the trunk. Prune so that the branches grow out toward the light. Any inner growth is wasted.

If you are pruning a diseased fruit tree, cut the diseased part last so as not to spread it around the fruit tree and definitely do not prune another fruit tree without cleaning the tool first.

Now let’s take about how you should clean your tools.

First off you can use bleach. Bleach will remove all signs of diseases. I personally do not like using bleach because I always manage to ruin my pants (some would call it designer jeans)! So I have found other things that you can use that work as well, and at the same time are easier on my clothing.

Here are a few alternatives to bleach that I have found to be effective:

Hydrogen Peroxide will work just fine and no stained clothing! You can pour into a cup, get a paint brush and clean your tools that way.

OrangeTKO is another natural product that will remove all diseases from your tools. Just pour a small amount into a cup. Then use the paintbrush to clean your tools with. I would use a steel wool to make sure you have removed any plant material left on the tool.

Here is a simple formula for using bleach:

1 cup bleach

1-gallon water

You will need a bucket

Steel wool

paint brush

and oil. You can use motor oil, but I prefer cooking oil, like canola.

Add the bleach to the bucket with the gallon water. Use the paint brush to paint and clean the cutting as well as the complete tool. I would wear protective gloves, as bleach will harm your skin as well as damage clothing. I would do this in-between each pruning esp if the tree is diseased. Prune the infected part last to help further prevent it from spreading.Once you are done with the pruning and have your tools cleaned, then I would oil them to keep them cutting well. Sharpen to keep them nice and sharp.

Once you are done, I would also clean and disinfect any other tools like shovel, hand tools, gloves, and clothing especially your shoes. Remember, diseases start in the soil, so if your fruit tree is diseased, you can bet it is in the soil. So as simple a thing as walking from a diseased tree to an area that has a healthy tree, you can be spreading the disease.  So it is best never to walk directly from a diseased tree to a healthy tree. No one really thinks of this, and that is why applications of (yes, you guessed it) rock dust, compost, and mulch, will go a long way in controlling diseases of your fruit trees.

If you have not been pruning your fruit trees, I do not suggest you go out and start pruning. I would get a professional that has experience in pruning and not let your gardener prune unless she or he is experienced and has shown that it will be done correctly. I would prune the first year lightly, looking at results the following year and then decide what needs to be pruned. Remember, the health of the tree depends on the health of the soil. Work to keep the soil healthy and your fruit trees will also be happy and you, in turn, will be happy.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Thanks

Any questions? Email me andylopez@invisiblegardener.com

Andy Lopez

Invisible Gardener