Best Time to Prune Fruit Tree

[susan123]

I have an italian plum and an apple tree that have gotten way too big!!! What is the best time of year to cut them back? And, since they need to have so much taken off, makes me a bit nervous - any suggestions on a tree service in Oakville - or are these trees resilient and I should just do it mayself?

[OldFortYork]

Usually in the spring, however, most trees can be pruned at ANY time in the season.

Enjoy your fruits!

[Rembrandt100]

I have an italian plum and an apple tree that have gotten way too big!!! What is the best time of year to cut them back? And, since they need to have so much taken off, makes me a bit nervous - any suggestions on a tree service in Oakville - or are these trees resilient and I should just do it mayself?


I had to cut mine down this year. The blackknot got to be too much for it but it served me well for over 10 years. Before I go farther are you willing to try this yourself? And how big is this tree?

Dave

[susan123]

I hope this makes sense.....the trunk of the tree is about 4-5' high but the branches go at least 10" high. I had cut it back two years ago in the early spring but more on a whim but I didn't care so much about them then. I have now come to like them (and the fruit) so want to be sure I don't kill them when they need a massive pruning this time.

[OldFortYork]

I hope this makes sense.....the trunk of the tree is about 4-5' high but the branches go at least 10" high. I had cut it back two years ago in the early spring but more on a whim but I didn't care so much about them then. I have now come to like them (and the fruit) so want to be sure I don't kill them when they need a massive pruning this time.

If you're worried that much, just prune them in the spring as the tree will heal the cuts. There's a good guide on pruning fruit trees here:

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/00-005.htm

I have an orchard of 8 fruit trees in my backyard and tend to prune them throughout the year, but leave most of the major pruning work towards the spring.

[suzib]

I have been trying to figure out what is wrong with my 5 year old plum tree, and I think this could be it as there is a big black knot like growth on one of the main branches and that part of the tree looks dead. How do I know for sure this is it? what is blackknot exactly? how do you get rid of it or is my best bet to cut it down and replace it? Any advice much appreciated.
Thanks.

[Rembrandt100]

I have been trying to figure out what is wrong with my 5 year old plum tree, and I think this could be it as there is a big black knot like growth on one of the main branches and that part of the tree looks dead. How do I know for sure this is it? what is blackknot exactly? how do you get rid of it or is my best bet to cut it down and replace it? Any advice much appreciated.
Thanks.


If you want to know for sure that it is black knot go here to see pic's of it on trees.

http://images.google.ca/images?gbv=2&hl=en&safe=off&q=blackknot+fungus&btnG=Search+Images

More information here: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/focus/blackknot.html

Black knot is a fungus and there is no cure for it. I removed a plum tree from my yard this summer due to it being infected. It had it for years and still produced plums. If you want to keep the tree you need to remove the infected branches. To do this you need to cut at least 6" away form the area and disinfect your pruners after each cut by dousing them in bleach. If the knots are not removed they will spread via spores to other fruit trees like Peach and other soft fruit type trees. If you decide to replace the tree you can plant it in the same place as the one removed as the infection is in the tree itself and not the ground.

Dave

[gr8dlr]

Off topic...you should keep the wood, season it and use it to smoke ribs, chicken, pork etc.

[penf]

I notice pruning books and sites say the best time to prune is when the tree is dormant (winter), otherwise late fall.

I'm adding a bunch of fruit trees next year and will be trying backyard orchard culture (BOC).. anyone had any experience with it?

[suzib]

Dave, a belated thanks, we are removing the tree and replanting, your info was a great help, and we are keeping the good wood, thanks gr8dlr, for that tip.