Pruning & training
Why and when to prune
What pruning does for light, fruit quality and disease, and when to do it.
Relevant stages: Delayed Dormancy.
Pruning shapes the tree, lets light and air in, and balances growth with fruiting.
Why prune
- More light gives better colour and fruit size.
- Open canopies dry faster, which helps against disease.
- Removing dead and diseased wood keeps problems from spreading.
When
Most pruning is done while trees are dormant, before buds swell. Finish before green tip. Light summer pruning can remove water shoots (see the fruit development stages).
A good rule
Remove less than you think on vigorous trees. Heavy cuts often cause a burst of upright shoots instead of fruit.
General guidance. Always read product labels and consult an agronomist for problems specific to your orchard.
