The Best Time to Prune Apple & Pear Trees

Prune fruit trees like the apple during their dormant season.

Fruit trees like the apple and pear are popular home garden trees for their flavor. They produce attractive, spring-blooming flowers that range in color and are followed by their edible fruit. Prune apple and pear trees annually to ensure a long-lived, healthy tree.

Time Frame

Prune apple and pear trees in late winter, during their dormant season and before new growth begins in spring. Start pruning the trees while they are young and as soon as the buds begin to grow, to help maintain their natural structure and form, and to reduce the chance of the tree becoming overgrown. Developing strong branches sets the stage for a healthy tree.

Considerations

Cut off all crossed, gnarled and overgrown branches by removing the entire branch. Prune back leaders on old apple and pear trees back by 24 inches. Remove all suckers that grow around the base of the fruit tree trunks as soon as they are visible. If not removed, suckers can overtake the tree.

Thinning

Remove and discard excess fruit to allow remaining apple and pears to develop their size and color. Failure to remove fruit stops the flower bud formation for the following year. Thin out fruit on apple and pear trees in midsummer to improve fruit size and leave one apple or pear cluster on the tree.

References

• North Carolina State University: Training & Pruning Fruit Trees
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Home Fruit Production-Pears