What Time of Year Are Fruit Trees Pruned in the Southeastern United States?
Timing is critical to the health and productivity of fruit trees. Historically, heavy pruning has been done during dormancy, but due to the shorter, milder winters in the southeastern United States, this presents significant risk for many types of fruit trees. Does this Spark an idea?
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Autumn Pruning
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Peach trees pruned in October through January are more susceptible to disease, particularly PTSL (Peach Tree Short Life) than those pruned at any other time of year.
Dormancy Pruning
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According to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, trees severely pruned while dormant will produce vigorous, upright shoots (water sprouts) in the spring, inhibiting proper development and fruit production.
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Summer Pruning
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Summer pruning runs the risk of reduced tree growth and cuts away future yield. Thinning only the current season's growth in the summer is recommended, and even then, not after July.
Early Spring Pruning
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Apples, pears, figs, peaches, nectarines and plums should be pruned between February and March, before an early bloom.
Timing
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The Southeastern Fruit & Tree Nut Research Laboratory recommends pruning in early spring, with the latest blooming trees first (apple and pecan) and the earliest blooming trees last (cherry, peach and plum).
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