How to... Prune fruit trees

PRUNING apple and pear trees should be done when the plant is dormant, which is after the leaves drop off and any time between November and early March.

Let the tree breathe

Trees that are not pruned become less productive and in time, congested with old branches. The aim then is to create an open goblet shape with a framework of four to five main branches.

Pruning allows air to circulate freely, which helps prevent disease, so start by removing crossing, rubbing, weak, dead, diseased, damaged and dying branches with a sharp pruning saw. Clean the saw blade with methylated spirit after each cut so any disease is not spread.

Get in shape

Shorten the previous year’s growth on each main branch by about one third to a bud facing in the required direction. This will encourage the development of new branches and fruiting spurs and maintain a good shape.

Leave the young side shoots untouched so they can develop buds in the second year.

Leave it to next year

If large branches need to be removed on really neglected old plants, spread the work over two or three winters. This is because very hard pruning encourages even more vigorous regrowth.

Cut off weak spurs

On older trees you should also remove or thin out spurs on the underside of the branches,where the developing fruit will not receive enough light.

If left in place, they will produce inferior fruit.