Most fruit trees in Yolo County benefit from regular pruning, according to the Master Gardeners of Yolo County. Pruning is said to improve tree health, fruit quality, and long-term productivity. The method and timing of pruning depend on the type and age of the tree.
The column notes that pruning helps support fruit-bearing branches, increases air flow to reduce disease, and exposes inner branches to more sunlight. This can lead to better productivity and fruit quality for species such as peaches and nectarines. Pruning also controls the size of trees, making them easier to harvest and maintain.
Deciduous fruit trees are usually pruned in late winter while dormant, with January and February being the best months for this task. In contrast, citrus trees should be pruned only in late spring after frost risk has passed. Citrus needs less pruning than deciduous trees; only dead or crossing branches or those trailing on the ground should be removed.
The article explains that apricots and cherries are pruned only in summer due to their susceptibility to Eutypa dieback (Eutypa lata), a fungal disease that can enter through open wounds during wet weather.
Winter pruning encourages vigorous new growth and is suited for removing large branches if necessary. Summer pruning, typically done after harvest, helps control tree height by removing upright water sprouts and improving light penetration inside the canopy. To prevent sunburn on large horizontal branches and trunks, white water-based paint diluted with water or tree whitewash is recommended.
Clean, sharp tools should be used when pruning. The process begins by removing dead, damaged, or diseased wood. Branches that cross each other should be cut out, as well as suckers from the base of the tree. Crowded areas should be thinned so light can reach the interior.
For most stone fruits such as peaches, nectarines, and apricots, an open center or “vase” shape is preferred. With young trees, three to five main scaffolding branches should be chosen; other large vertical branches are removed from the center. For older unpruned trees, this shape may take up to three years to achieve. Apples and pears (pome fruits) are generally pruned to one or two central leaders with evenly spaced side branches.
There are two types of cuts: thinning (removing entire branches) made just outside the branch collar; and heading (removing branch tips), which encourage outward rather than upward growth if made above a lateral branch. Generally, twenty to thirty percent of a tree can be removed each year without harming it.
Annual dormant pruning is emphasized for structure and health while summer pruning should be used sparingly based on species needs.
Additional resources mentioned include:
– UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County’s The Backyard Orchard – Pruning (1/1/2025 pdf) at https://mgsantaclara.ucanr.edu/files/36188.pdf
– The Backyard Orchard – Pruning (2/12/2021 video) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuBefC2Pi0g
– UC Master Gardeners of Marin County’s Pruning Tips – Fruit Trees at https://marinmg.ucanr.edu/BASICS/FruitTrees/?uid=18&ds=1004
– UC Master Gardeners of Sacramento County’s Summer Pruning at https://sacmg.ucanr.edu/Gardening_Resources/Summer_Pruning/
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