How and where to cut when pruning
People often wonder how to cut when pruning their fruit trees. There are a few key types of cut to get familiar with, so try to let these guide you when you’re pruning to encourage growth on your trees.
Remember, clean and accurate cuts are important so as to not leave your tree open to infection, so take your time and use sharp tools.
For an overview of things to avoid when pruning, give ‘Common Pruning Mistakes’ a read. Don’t let it scare you, remember, it’s actually quite difficult to kill a tree.
If you’re after more in-depth theory and practical skills, you can come along to one of our in-person courses.
Basic Pruning Cuts
Thinning Cuts:
Why? Thinning cuts are removing entire branches in order to thin out congested areas, remove branches growing in the wrong direction, improve the structure of the tree/bush, or stimulate growth in the branches below your cut.
Where to Cut: Remove the branch at its point of origin: this could be the trunk or another branch. Cut just beyond the slightly raised wrinkly area (the branch collar).
How to Cut: Make the cut just outside this raised area, avoiding leaving a stub.
Heading Cuts:
Why? Heading cuts remove a portion of a branch rather than the whole thing. Their purpose is to stimulate growth on the rest of the branch therefore improving the quality of future fruit, and to maintain a good branch structure.
Where to Cut: Shorten branches just above a bud or lateral branch.
How to Cut: Position the cut about 1/4 inch above the bud or lateral branch at a slight angle.
Rejuvenation Cuts:
Where to Cut: Stimulate new growth on older branches by cutting back to just above a healthy bud or lateral branch.
How to Cut: Make the cut just above a bud or lateral branch to encourage fresh growth.
Removing Dead or Diseased Wood:
Where to Cut: Remove dead or diseased wood by cutting back to healthy tissue just above the nearest healthy bud or lateral branch.
How to Cut: Ensure a clean and smooth cut without ragged edges.
Avoiding Flush Cuts:
Where to Cut: Always leave the branch collar intact when cutting to avoid flush cuts against the trunk or larger branch.
How to Cut: Keep the cut slightly away from the trunk to support the tree's natural healing.
Using Proper Tools:
Tools to Use: Use pruning shears for smaller branches, loppers for thicker branches, and a pruning saw for large limbs.
Tool Maintenance: Keep tools sharp and clean; disinfect between cuts to prevent the spread of diseases.
Fancy getting us to prune your tree for you? Get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.