When to cut fruit trees and how to do it
Spring is an ideal time
When to cut fruit trees? In general, the best time for cut is now, ie in the spring, when the trees are at rest and do not yet have leaves. This simply recognizes the condition and structure of branches. In this period, however, focus only on pruning trees that bloom and produce until the end of summer or autumn.
In February and March, it is the best time to cut apple and pear, but also hazel. In the late spring until early summer we can cut a nut, but the best time to modify it occurs in August. Run apricots, plums and peaches just before flowering, or after flowering to have enough time to heal wounds. For some trees, such as cherries and cherries, cutting up to harvest is preferable to prevent disease attack.
Plan fruit trees for a day when it does not freeze and temperatures move above zero. At temperatures lower than -5 °C increases the risk of chopping of shoots.
| When to cut fruit trees? | |
|---|---|
| apple tree | February, March and August |
| pear | February, March and August |
| plum | February, March and July |
| fox | February and March |
| plum | February and March |
| berries | February, March, July and August |
| apricot | March, July and August |
| peach | March, July and August |
| walnut | May, June and August |
| cherry | July and August |
| cherry | July and August |
Why cut fruit trees?
Removing dry, damaged and patients will support the healthy growth of the tree and the formation of new fruiting branches and new shoots and reduce the risk of attacking pests and diseases.
Pruning regulates the amount and distribution of fruits on the tree and get more sunlight. You can look forward to a larger and sweeter crop. Cutting fruit trees is also preceded by the overload of the branches and their breaking under the weight of fruits.
Another reason to cut fruit trees is to influence their shape and overall size, exactly according to your wishes. For example, for easier harvesting, you can keep the tree low and branched sideways.
How to do it?
Use sharp and clean gardening scissors with a contradictory blade or saw. Electric scissors and hand saws are a great choice.
Cut the branches obliquely at an angle of 30-45 °, just above the bud or branch. Remove those branches that grow inside the crown or cross. Also so -called wolves, ie branches sticking up. Keep the crown of the tree airy.
Treat wounds after branches stronger than three centimeters with beeswax or tree balsam, which protects them from molds and bacteria. The tree can cope with smaller wounds.
In the summer, you can also make a summer cut of fruit trees at the turn of July and August by removing the shoots that have grown this year. The tree will then reward you with a better color of the fruits.
