Recommendedcutting dates for fruit trees and shrubsmay vary considerably depending on the requirements of individual plant species. That is why we have prepared acalendar for cutting trees and shrubsfor our readers, which makes it much easier to choose the right pruning date. Seewhen to prune fruit trees and shrubsso that plants regenerate quickly after pruning, grow he althily and bear fruit abundantly !
Fruit trees and bushes are pruned at different dates
Fig. depositphotos.com
Choosing the right time to cut fruit trees and shrubs is not that easy. The recommended pruning times vary depending on the species of fruit plant to be pruned. For example,frost-resistant trees and shrubs such as apple trees, pear trees, gooseberries and currants can be pruned in winter(February-March), as soon as the risk of severe frost is over, on dry, rainless and positive temperature. Similar terms are used to cut common hazel, honeysuckle berry, quince and strawberries.
"When cutting more sensitive speciessuch as peaches and nectarines, it is better to wait until the beginning of spring until it warms up significantly (April). In turn, cherries and cherries, due to their susceptibility to bacterial cancer, are pruned in summer, after fruit harvest (from mid-July to August).
As if that were not enough,for some plant species it is recommended several types of pruning in different termsFor example, the basic pruning of an apple tree, which is designed to x-ray and form the crown of a tree, is performed at the end of winter.Additionally, however, in the summer you have to remove delicate young shoots growing vertically upwards, called wolves. "
In the case of some species of fruit plants, the choice of the cutting date is not clear at all early fruit ripening, better prune at the end of summer, after fruit harvest (late August or September).
Raspberries are also pruned at other times, depending on whether they are traditional raspberries or repeated fruiting. Traditional (summer) raspberries are pruned after harvest, which usually falls in August. And autumn raspberries (repeating raspberries) can also be cut after harvest, but this will fall in the fall (late October or November) or, if we have not cut the autumn pruning, they can also be trimmed at the end of winter (February - March).
There is a lot of confusion about cutting vines It is best to trim at the end of winter, remembering, however, that if you cut it too early, it may freeze, and by delaying cutting until spring, you expose the plant to sap leakage, known as the "cry of the skeleton.
Additional supplementary cutting of the vine is also performed in the summer, correcting the growth of the young, still soft shoots, and some prune it also in autumn.The purpose of the last cut is to shorten the shoots so that it is easier to protect them for the winterThis is a preliminary cut before spring cutting and requires that the cut shoots should be shortened in spring in autumn, cutting out their frozen ends.
Prune frost-resistant trees in winter, in the leafless period
Fig. pixabay.com
The deadline for cutting walnuts also raises some doubts.Traditionally, walnut trees should be pruned from mid-February to March. However, during this period, large amounts of juice may leak from the cut wounds, making it difficult for the wound to heal and increasing the risk of disease infections.Therefore, more and more often it is recommendedlater date for cutting walnut in late May / early June
The latter date, however, is also not without flaws, and my own experience shows that walnut in In our climate, it is better to cut at the end of winter, first making a test cut of one branch to check that no juice is leaking.When you manage to hit the day when no juices are leaking, you can start pruning the entire tree
Regardless of the recommended pruning date for a given plant, we should always start work on sunny and dry days , preferably with no wind, because pathogenic pathogens spread most easily with moisture and wind. In the case of winter cuts, we should also pay attention not to perform the treatment on frosty days or when large temperature drops are forecast in the coming days, because freshly cut branches freeze easily. Remember to applycutting wounds with garden ointment , preferably with fungicide.Garden ointment accelerates the healing of cutting wounds and protects the cuts against the penetration of diseases.
To help you choose the right time for pruning, we have prepared acalendar for cutting fruit trees and shrubswith a breakdown by plant type. Next to the marked dates, comments are added here and there, containing the most important comments regarding the cutting of a given plant. Remember, however, that the calendar contains only basic information. Before we pick up the saw and secateurs, it is worth getting acquainted with the principles of pruning the selected plant in detail.
Below the graphic with the calendar there is a link to download the cutting calendar in a printable version. We tried to arrange it so that the printout would fit on one page. We hope that the calendar of cutting fruit trees and shrubs will be helpful for you!
Download the printable cutting calendar:
- Cutting calendar for fruit trees and shrubs (PDF)
Become confident in pruning fruit plants
"If you are unsure how to make a cut or are just afraid to do it, the fantastic book "Cutting School 2" ontrimming fruit trees and shrubs
This is the second part of the best-selling book "Cutting School", in which the authors Lucyna and Alicja Grabowskieexplained in a simple and clear way the secrets of cuttingornamental plants. The first book The School of Cutting for its simple language and clear, accurate drawings was loved by garden owners all over Poland.The book quickly became a bestseller- 20,000 copies sold! "
"Cutting School 2" will make youconfident in pruning fruit trees and shrubsand learn to cut plants so that they grow according to your expectations and bear fruit abundantly. After reading this book, your approach to pruning plants will probably change completely!
