   Fruit Tree Pruning - February 18, 2004 Jeff Schalau, County Director, Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County Deciduous fruit trees benefit from yearly pruning throughout their productive lifespan. However, it is almost impossible to describe the pruning process in writing. Each tree has individual characteristics that make it difficult to generalize. In addition, there are multiple approaches, most of which are valid and dependent on individual preferences. I’ll provide more of inspirational/theoretical discussions in the remainder of the column, and then invite you to one of the workshop demonstrations that I have scheduled. There you can watch as we discuss the principles of fruit tree pruning. Pruning is critical to maintaining fruit tree vigor and training it to create a desirable structure. Winter pruning often causes a tree to respond vigorously, too vigorously, in cases where large quantities of material are removed. Conversely, summer pruning does not cause a drastic growth response. Summer pruning can be used to remove overly dense branches without causing excessive regrowth. Some fruit growers prefer trees that are trained to a central leader. This is most often used with apples and pears and requires removal of unwanted branches from the trunk while leaving behind strategically spaced side branches (scaffold branches). Open-center (also called “vase-shaped”) pruning removes the central leader at a very young age (right after planting) to create a tree that spreads outward from the trunk allowing light to penetrate and air to circulate in the center of the tree. Open-center is often used for peaches, nectarines, plums, and apricots. It can also be used on apples and pears to keep the tree dwarfed and easier to harvest. This is always a plus for backyard fruit producers. Most apples and pears produce fruit on spurs: shortened twigs where flowers are produced. These spurs live from 5 to 12 years. Plums, apricots, and cherries produce fruit on shorter-lived spurs. Peaches and nectarines produce fruit predominantly on the previous year’s wood. This is critical in planning your pruning strategy for each of these species. In general, peaches and nectarines should be pruned more aggressively than the others to produce the desired quantity and quality of fruit bearing wood. The others should be pruned to control the number and age of fruit producing spurs. Large pruning cuts should be kept to a minimum. These cuts take longer to heal and will often cause water sprouts to grow in that vicinity during the following growing season. Water sprouts are rapidly growing, vegetative material that utilize energy that could be going into fruit production. If you must make large cuts, do not use a pruning sealant or wound dressing. Simply allow the cut to callous over naturally. Finally, use only clean, sharp pruning tools. Soak the loppers and hand pruners in rubbing alcohol for 5 to 10 minutes between trees and especially after pruning diseased material out. Since 1996, I have offered fruit tree pruning demonstrations in late winter. County Agents that preceded me did the same. I’d like to invite you to join me for a fruit tree pruning demonstration at the Blazin M Ranch on Saturday February 21 from 10 AM to noon. The Blazin M Ranch is at the end of North 10th St. in Cottonwood-continue past the entrance to Dead Horse Ranch State Park and the road ends at the Blazin M Ranch parking lot. I’ll be conducting another similar demonstration on February 28 in Chino Valley. For maps and details about both 2004 fruit tree pruning demonstrations, visit the Yavapai County Cooperative Extension Web Site at: cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has publications and information on gardening and pest control. If you have other gardening questions, call the Master Gardener line in the Cottonwood office at 646-9113 ext. 14 or E-mail us at mgardener@verdeonline.com and be sure to include your address and phone number. Find past Backyard Gardener columns or submit column ideas at the Backyard Gardener web site: http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/. |