How to Prune Apricot Trees in Australia

Apricot trees bear more fruit when properly pruned.

The apricot tree is a small, long-lived fruiting tree that bears stone fruit in the summer. Apricot trees grow in many parts of Australia. As they are self-fertile, they can be grown alone, making them an ideal backyard fruiting tree. Pruning is a necessary part of the general upkeep and maintenance of your tree. Not only does pruning improve the appearance of your tree, it positively affects the growth and the fruit production and fruit quality of your apricot tree.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp loppers
• Garden shears
• Pruning saw

Instructions

1. Select a warm day in the late summer after harvesting your apricot tree. Although at one time it was recommended to prune your apricot tree in the winter when the tree is dormant, pruning after harvest assures that the tree has time to recover before winter cold sets in. The warm air helps prevent the growth of fungus.

2. Reduce the height of your tree with sharp pruning shears or loppers. Don’t cut off more than one-third of the height of the tree.

3. Cut off any branches that grow toward the trunk of the tree to increase the circulation within the tree branches. The ideal shape of apricot tree is similar to that of a vase, open on the inside with four main limbs each of which branch into two secondary limbs. Apricot fruit is formed on one-year-old branches as well as new spurs that grow from those branches.

4. Remove weak spurs, or branches, as well as any diseased or damaged branches. Removing the weaker branches will encourage the tree to produce new, stronger branches. Cut off any suckers growing around the base of the tree. These will not produce fruit and will drain the energy from your tree.

5. Clean your tools with alcohol after pruning your apricot tree to prevent the spread of disease.

References

• Western Australia Department of Agriculture and Food: Growing Healthy Fruit trees in the Home Garden
• Canberra Organic Growers Society: Pruning Stone Fruit