Pruning Calendar
Fruit | Ideal Pruning Time |
---|---|
Apricot | Late winter/early spring, as new flowers begin to open. Can also be done in mid-summer once fruit has set to inhibit excessive growth and to shape the tree. |
Blueberry | Late winter/early spring, after severe cold is over and before new growth begins. |
Cherry (Sour) | Late winter, after cold weather and frost has passed but while they are still dormant. |
Cherry (Sweet) | Late summer. Sweet cherries are susceptible to bacterial and fungal disease. Pruning in late summer (rather than winter) reduces the risk of the trees getting infected. |
Currant (Red) | Late winter, just before they come out of dormancy (before new growth appears). |
Currant (Black) | Early winter (December), when branches have lost their leaves. |
Goji Berry | Late winter to clean out unwanted stems. Prune again in summer to control structure and canopy growth. |
Gooseberry | Late winter, just before they come out of dormancy (before new growth appears). |
Grape | Spring (February/March, even as late as April). Hard frost in late winter can damage pruned canes and buds. |
Hardy Kiwi | Winter (December to March). Then again in mid-summer (June) and again in late summer (July/August). |
Jostaberry | Early winter (December), when branches have lost their leaves. Shoots can also be shortened in the summer. |
Nectacot | Late winter/early spring, as new flowers begin to open. Can also be done in mid-summer once fruit has set to inhibit excessive growth and to shape the tree. |
Nectarine | Late winter/early spring. |
Peach | Early spring, as the buds swell and begin to turn pink. Better to prune too late than too early. |
Pear (Asian) | Late winter/early spring, before buds begin to swell. Fruit develops on fruiting spurs, so leave the spurs where you want fruit. The spurs grow out of 2-year wood. |
Pear (European) | Late winter/early spring, before buds begin to swell. Fruit develops on fruiting spurs, so leave the spurs where you want fruit. |
Plum | Mid-summer during full growth (June/July). Plum trees are prone to fungal disease. Pruning in mid-summer minimizes risk of infection. |
Raspberry | |
Strawberry |