Our Foolproof 7-step pruning method is based on 10 pruning principles, but the two that are most relevant here are #3: prune in winter to encourage growth, and #4: trim your trees in summer to slow growth. Then you can fall back on them to make up your mind about when to prune. It’s much better to understand the principles behind pruning.

Rules can also lead to inexperienced pruners making cuts that can have less than ideal consequences. We’re not big fans of rules when it comes to pruning - we find they actually confuse people. Whereas winter is clearly the best time to prune young trees that you want to encourage to grow big and strong (and then become fruitful) as quickly as possible. Once you understand those principles, it becomes obvious that pruning in summer might suit a really big tree that you’re trying to renovate, for example. The point is to do the pruning in warm, dry weather after the tree has finished growing for the season. On the other hand, pruning your fruit tree while it’s dormant in winter is more likely to encourage the tree to grow strongly in response.Īnd when we say summer, then yes, we also mean early autumn.

Pruning your tree in summer tends to result in a smaller growth response from the tree. Katie pretending to be a tree at a summer pruning workshop How will your trees respond if you prune them in summer? This approach takes the pressure off so you can feel like you can have a go, which is when real learning starts. We reckon that rather than get caught up with figuring out the perfect time to prune, it’s easier to remember the mantra that there’s no “right” or “wrong”, there are just cuts and consequences. Click here to get your FREE ebook 10 Key Steps to Growing Great Fruit

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