Quick answer
How Do I Prune My Fruit Tree?
Start slowly. The best fruit tree pruning removes dead, damaged, diseased, crossing, or crowded branches while keeping the tree balanced and healthy. The goal is not to make the tree look perfect. The goal is to help light, air, and strong growth move through the tree.
A few things to try
- Remove dead, broken, or damaged branches first.
- Remove branches that rub against each other.
- Remove suckers growing from the base.
- Remove water sprouts shooting straight upward.
- Thin crowded areas so light can reach the center.
- When in doubt, prune less.
What to watch for
Different fruit trees have different pruning needs. Apple, peach, plum, cherry, pear, citrus, and fig trees are not all pruned the same way. Before making big cuts, know what kind of tree you have and when it should be pruned in your climate.