How to Trim Dwarf Fruit Trees

Even though dwarf fruit trees are made to stay smaller than full-size fruit trees, they still need to be trimmed to retain their size and shape, and to remove dead or overlapping branches. Trimming can help keep the tree healthy, and it can even make picking fruit easier. For most dwarf fruit trees, late winter (before the tree gets leaves) is the best time to prune, but you can also prune in the summer. Pruning in July or August (after the tree has fruited) will make it easier to see which branches are dead or unhealthy, and where the branches should be pruned.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dwarf fruit tree
• Sharp pruning shears
• Loppers (optional)
• Stepladder (optional)
• Alcohol wipe

Prune Dwarf Fruit Trees

1. Start by cutting off any dead or unhealthy branches close to the base (if the entire branch is dead) or just above the nearest live leaf nodule.

2. Cut off any water sprouts (new growth that shoots straight up from the branch) at the base.

3. Cut off any small, heavily drooping branches that will not bear the weight of fruit.

4. Trim any branches that touch another branch, since these branches can rub against each other when the wind blows and prevent the leaves and fruit from getting enough sun. When two branches cross, trim the smaller branch and leave the thicker one.

5. Trim any branches that are too crowded, since these will block the sun from getting to the fruit and they can cause the tree to produce a lot of small fruit rather than fewer large fruits.

6. Trim a small amount off the ends of the remaining branches as needed to keep the tree small and a balanced shape.

Tips & Warnings

• Always prune back to the nearest outside leaf node, since this is where the new growth will occur. An outside leaf node is one that points away from the tree rather than toward the middle.
• Dwarf fruit trees can range in size from plants grown in patio containers to trees 12 feet high or more. So while you’ll be able to easily trim a small fruit tree with just a pruning shears, you may need loppers (shears with long handles) for larger trees, and perhaps even a ladder. Make sure the ladder is well balanced before you stand on it, and only go as high up the ladder as the manufacturer recommends. Use common sense and your best judgment.
• After you’ve finished trimming the tree, carefully clean the shears or loppers with an alcohol wipe.
• Use extreme caution when working with sharp pruning shears or loppers, or when working on a ladder.

Resources

• Click here for a detailed PDF guide on pruning.