Pruning instructions

Pruning is necessary to keep the trees and shrubs healthy, to shape them as desired and to stimulate fruit growth. Pruning is preferably done in dry weather and not during severe frosts.

Pruning fruit trees (Apples, Pears, Plums and Cherries)

Fruit trees need to be pruned to keep the tree healthy, to grow new branches for fruit and so that all branches are well exposed to sunlight. Prune the branches about 10cm from the trunk so that they can grow some new fruit branches. Never prune branches with many flower buds, as fruit will grow on them.

Winter pruning
Fruit trees can be pruned from late December through to March. Cherries and plum trees should preferably be pruned a little earlier, just after the fruit is harvested.

• Cut away branches that touch each other
• Prune away most of the branches that grow straight up (leave 3 or 4), because there will be few fruits on them
• Cut away any lateral branches, preferably branches that have had fruit for several years

Summer pruning (Apples and Pears)
In June you can prune fast-growing trees (apple and pear trees) again. Then, prune branches that grow straight up or branches that block fruit-growing branches.

Pruning exotic fruit trees (Peach, Nectarine)

Although Peach and Nectarine trees are self-pollinating trees, pruning for fruit growth it is useful to manually pollinate them with a brush.

• Prune branches that lie on top of each other (pruning with exotic fruit trees is mainly intended to inhibit growth and stimulate fruit growth)
• Cut away branches that have already grown fruit, to make room for new branches. (Note: with new fruit trees, new branches produce fruit only after a few years)

Pruning nut and fig trees

Figs

• The fig tree is best pruned from November to February, as during the summer branches that are blocking can also be pruned
• Cut away the old and infertile branches so that the young, fruit-growing branches get more light and energy for fruit growth
• If necessary, cut up the upward growing branches to inhibit growth

Nut trees

• Nut trees can be pruned immediately after they have lost their leaves
• Only cut dead branches and possibly other branches to form the tree

Pruning berry and raspberry bushes

Berries and raspberry shrubs are best pruned after harvest until early winter:

Pink & blue berries

• Prune the branches after they have had fruit for 2 or 3 years. In the first years they give the best fruits
• Also cut off the branches that run on the ground
• In summer, possibly cut the tops off of fast-growing branches to stimulate the growth of side branches
• Cut away damaged or diseased branches to prevent infection from spreading
• Remove any branches that block light for smaller branches

Raspberries

• Prune the fruit branches that hang low on the ground and weakly growing branches