Fall Pruning Guide: Preparing Fruit Trees and Shrubs for a Healthy Spring

Fall is the perfect time to give your fruit trees and shrubs some care to ensure they grow strong and healthy in the spring—and it’s not too late! Fall pruning helps manage the shape of your plants, encourages better fruit production, and reduces the risk of diseases. Here’s a quick guide on how to handle fall pruning.

Focus on Dead or Damaged Branches:

Start by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased branches. This improves airflow and reduces the chance of disease spreading. Having the proper tools makes pruning easier and prevents further damage to the plant:

• • Hand Pruners: For small branches (up to ½ inch thick).
  • Loppers: For medium-sized branches (up to 1½ inches thick).
  • Pruning Saw: For larger branches.
  • Gloves: To protect your hands from thorns or sharp edges.
  • Disinfectant: To clean tools before and after pruning (e.g., a mixture of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water).

Use precise cutting techniques to avoid harming the plant:

1. Cut at the Right Spot:
   • For dead branches, cut back to the nearest healthy branch or bud.
   • For diseased branches, cut at least 6-12 inches below the visible signs of infection to ensure you remove all affected tissue.
2. Use the 3-Cut Method for Larger Branches:
   • First Cut: Make an undercut a few inches away from the branch collar to prevent bark tearing.
   • Second Cut: Make a top cut slightly farther out from the first cut to remove the bulk of the branch.
   • Final Cut: Make a clean cut just outside the branch collar (the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk).
3. Angle the Cut: Make the final cut at a slight angle to allow water to run off, preventing rot.

Shape for Growth:

Shaping plants for growth, also known as structural or formative pruning, is essential for fostering healthy development and achieving an aesthetically pleasing form. The first step is to understand the natural growth habit of the plant, whether it’s a tree with a central leader, like apple trees, or a shrub with a more open, spreading form. Timing is also critical—dormant pruning in the fall or winter is best for removing weak or crossed branches and establishing a strong structure, while light pruning in spring or summer can manage vigorous growth. Start by cutting away any dead, diseased, or damaged branches, as this improves overall health and clears the way for shaping. Thinning out overcrowded areas helps air circulate and sunlight penetrate, promoting balanced growth. For trees, maintaining a single dominant leader encourages stability, while shrubs benefit from shaping outward for symmetry and fullness. Proper cuts should be made just above buds facing the desired growth direction, with no more than 25% of the plant trimmed at once to avoid stress. In the Puget Sound region, shaping fruit trees like cherries and apples into an open center or vase shape allows sunlight to reach all parts of the tree, boosting fruit production. Similarly, native plants such as vine maples thrive with light pruning to maintain their natural form. By encouraging lateral growth and ensuring even branch spacing, shaping creates healthier, more resilient plants that enhance both the beauty and functionality of the landscape. 

Don’t Over-Prune:

It’s important not to overdo it. Light pruning is usually best to prevent stress on the plant, especially if it’s a young tree or shrub. 

 

Fall pruning doesn’t have to be intimidating! With these tips, you can keep your fruit trees and shrubs healthy and productive. If you need a hand before winter sets in, Proscapes offers expert pruning services to help you maintain a beautiful, fruitful landscape.