Fruit Tree Pruning

Fruit tree pruning should be done annually, the best time to prune a fruit tree is when all the fruit and leaves have fallen.

Jim a Wharncliffe Allotments Allotmenteer and local Tree Surgeon, shows Jan, a neighboring Allotmenteer, how to prune her fruit tree.

There are many reasons to prune fruit trees. Good trimming can help develop a good U-shape branch union. Branches need to become strong enough to hold the weight of fruit crops. Smaller and thiner branches should be cut back completely, thining out branches gives the remaining branches the opportunity to move and become stronger as well as allowing sunlight to penetrate through to the fruit.

Healthy trees also require the removal of diseased branches and close touching branches. Ideally branch unions should resmble a 'U' shape and not a v-shaped union as pictured here.

V-shaped branch unions produce a weekness at the collar (where the two beranches join) rendering them prone to breaking.

For more information on pruning fruit trees visit the RHS website.

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