How to Stop a Tree From Bearing Fruit
Fruit trees often produce mass amounts of blooms and fruit each year. No matter the size of the tree, it is easy for there to be hundreds of apples, pears or cherries by the work of nature alone. To control or even inhibit the tree from producing so many fruits is beneficial to the gardener and the tree itself. Trees that are thinned and properly pruned, compared to those that grow freely, are stronger, brighter and produce larger fruits. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Use pruning shears to clip off any blossoms that the tree has produced. You may also clip buds before they open.
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Cut and eliminate any flowers that have opened high above your reach with the bypass loppers.
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Continue using the loppers to round out the tree, cutting back branches and stems that are bright green with new growth. Cut at the point where the brown trunk meets the green stem.
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Cut and thin out clustered branches by using the hedge trimmers. Make your cut directly above the nodes, as this bump indicates a secondary, new branch that will shortly form.
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Tips & Warnings
Cutting the flowers directly after bloom will prevent any pollen from being grown. Without pollination, there is no fruit. However, when taking away the flowers after bloom, the tree will continuously grow more blossoms in an attempt to create "young." You will need to keep checking each week in the spring and summer until you have clipped away all possible flowers.
You can also choose the method of cutting back to prevent fruit from growing. With this method, all you need to do is cut back the tree branches until they represent large stubs. Cut away any bright green limbs, flower buds and small stems at the end of branches that have split off to create two twigs. This can be done in the fall for winter preparation, or in the spring to control growth.
Wear gloves to protect your hands from jagged branches and insects that could bite. Be aware of falling particles and protect your eyes with safety glasses from leaf and stem debris.
Keep the blades to your bypass loppers and pruning shears sharp and clean. Dull blades can lead to misuse and eventually an accidental slip. Keep children and pets out of the area until all tools have been replaced to their storage facilities.
