How To Prune Fruit Trees
The perfect time for pruning fruit trees if you want it to produce the maximum amount of fruit is when the tree is dormant, and not growing. This is commonly in the spring time, which is the time just before the vigorous growth. First of all, cut away all limbs that are lifeless, and branches that come into contact with each other, or cross over each other in some way. Prune the vertical branches by cutting near the joint where it meets a horizontal branch, or a little above any bud, making the cut backwards at around thirty degrees. Vertical branches should be eliminated, in moderation, and the extent of this depends upon the tree being pruned.Some exceptions exist, but for most common fruit trees like peach and apple adhere to this rule.
Although pruning apple tree methods have some fundamental shared elements with other fruit trees, there are subtle differences with respect of certain types of fruit trees, like the plum tree. A flourishing tree will look good and will also create more fruit than a sick, neglected or poorly cut one. After planting the three strongest perpendicular limbs are noted and the rest taken right back to the base. Excess growth is also cut off from these vertical branches, leaving some horizontal branches for future development. After this initial pruning, those three verticals will shape the major structure of the tree, with all other fruit producing limbs growing from them. These three 'trunks' are never severed, but the pruner always leaves the tender green tip alone stretching upwards for the sun. Other branches jostling for the space and sunshine in the tree top are cut back, to allow room for growth. After all dead branches are pruned, space is created within the main part of the tree.
Plant fruit young trees in a place that gets good sunlight for about half a day and also gives some protection from strong winds. It's well known that young plants need plenty of water in order to bed them in and also to promote root growth. We can to plant fruit trees at any time, in any season, unless it's so cold that the young saplings might be in danger of becoming frost-damaged, or that they will not flourish over those all important first weeks. Trees like plenty of water, but it must not be allowed to collect, so the soil should be able to drain easily. Make a hole in the soil or prepared mound twice the width of the packed roots and the equivalent depth. Place the tree in the hole and gently fill in with soil, taking care that its is not planted too low - the tree won't prosper if it's placed too low in the soil. Firmly push down the soil around the ball or roots and add twenty liters of cold water, perhaps adding a little slow release fertilizer to encourage early growth.
Peter Bruce is a freelance journalist operating out of Toulouse in France. Subjects covered include pruning fruit trees.
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