Fearless Pruning
By Mary Fitch, Anoka County Extension Master Gardener
Recently I was visiting with a gardening friend of mine, and we were talking about our favorite topic, spring gardening tasks. It was too early to start working outside as there were still piles of snow, and looking around my yard, I felt overwhelmed. Because of other priorities last fall, I didn’t get to my normal clean up and pruning. I have half an acre with plum trees, apricot trees, and five varieties of apple trees, and I’d always done my pruning in the fall.
I decided to visit the University of Minnesota Extension website, where I learned that my procrastination had paid off! The best time to prune fruit trees is actually late winter (February to early April) before spring growth starts. Pruning fruit trees while they are dormant will promote the best fruit production, plus it’s easier to make the right pruning decisions before the leaves emerge. I found lots of useful information and instructional videos to guide me (https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-trees-and-shrubs).
The videos also gave a great overview of how to pick the right tool for the job. Luckily, I already had most of the recommended tools. A good pair of pruning shears is essential, as it will cut branches up to three-fourths of an inch thick, making it perfect for most light jobs. Lopping shears are also handy since the long handles provide the leverage needed to cut branches up to one and a half inches thick. A good quality hand saw is useful for larger branches, and for especially big jobs there are specialty saws available, too. Be sure to wear protective gear and follow safety guidelines when pruning larger limbs.
The University website tutorials were encouraging, and they also helped me better understand why pruning is necessary. Pruning is not all about appearance. Knowing when to prune and how much to prune is crucial to keeping your trees and shrubs healthy. In my case, it also ensures that I have a steady supply of fruit from my trees.
Empower yourself with the right information and tools so you can get out there and trim that tree!
Proper pruning time depends on the specific tree or shrub. Here is a general guide:
