Caring for fruit trees necessarily involves periodic pruning, which is essential for the healthy development of the tree and obtaining a rich and high-quality harvest.
If you are a beginner and want to learn how to prune trees properly, this practical guide is just what you need!
Basic rules for pruning fruit trees
For a correct cut, follow some fundamental rules:
- Always use clean and well-sharpened tools.Tree trimming for beginners the practical and simple guide
- Cut dry, diseased or broken branches.
- Eliminate crossing branches to allow light to enter the crown.
- Always make the cut close to the outer bud, at a slightly inclined angle, avoiding cuts too close or too far from the bud.
- Apply mastic treatment to large wounds to prevent infection.
When fruit trees are pruned
There are two optimal periods for pruning fruit trees:
- Spring: the most recommended period, before the start of vegetation, usually in March. This pruning stimulates the growth and development of the fruit.
- Autumn: after harvesting the fruits and the fall of the leaves, between October and November. Autumn cuts are more hygienic and crown-forming, having the role of preparing the tree for winter.
Pruning fruit trees for fruit
For trees already in fruit, the goal of pruning is to maintain a balance between vegetative development and fruiting. Here are some simple tips:
- Remove greedy branches (very vigorous vertical shoots), which consume the tree’s energy without producing fruit.
- Moderately cut the long side branches to stimulate the emergence of new fruiting branches.
- Take care to keep an airy crown shape for optimal light penetration.
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Pruning trees – autumn or spring?
The choice of the optimal period depends on the objective of cutting:
- Spring it is ideal for stimulation and maintenance cuts, as the tree recovers quickly after the cold season.
- Autumn it is especially recommended for hygienic pruning, removing diseased, damaged or dry branches, to prevent the spread of diseases over the winter.
Even if you are a beginner, with these simple rules you will be able to cut your fruit trees yourself and enjoy rich and healthy fruits. Don’t forget to constantly check the condition of the trees and adapt the cuts according to their needs.
Good luck with your gardening!
