GARDEN + GARDENING + GARDEN DESIGN + GARDENING TIPS & ADVICE

February and March are the months to get your fruit trees ready for a good year.  Prune your fruit trees now before the sap begins to flow.  It’s recommended that you cut back one-third of new top growth and two-thirds of the new side growth.  New growth is that which grows beyond slightly bunched up bark.

The first cuts should eliminate dead or damaged branches  You should also cut out crossing branches as well as those that grow straight up from a major limb (some refer to these as “suckers”).  When cutting limbs that are one inch or larger be careful not to cut into the collar.  The collar looks like a bunched up shirt sleeve.  The cut will heal properly if you cut next to it, but not into it.

If you are going to use dormant spray, be sure to spray before the trees begin to blossom.  Usually an oil based spray is preferred.

Pear and plum trees require very little pruning.  Apricot, apple and peach trees need more pruning to strengthen branches that hold heavy fruit.

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This entry was posted on Monday, February 23rd, 2009 at 11:05 am and is filed under Gardening General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.