End of February - beginning of March is the perfect time toFruit trees in the gardento miss a rejuvenation cut. The trees are at the end of winter dormancy, but will begin to grow vigorously in a few weeks or days. We explain how to cut the fruit trees and what you should pay attention to.
Why prune fruit trees and when is pruning legally permitted?
Anourishing cutpromotes growth, extends the flowering period and ensures that the fruit trees bear more fruit.
Dead fruit trees can only be dropped until the end of February. Severe pruning is no longer an option from the beginning of March.Is legal– provided there are no birds nesting in the fruit tree – only a nurturing rejuvenation cut is permitted. So only individual branches may be shortened.
Pruning fruit trees: This is what you should keep in mind when pruning in spring
The fruit trees are usually cut on frost-free, ideally sunny days. The correct cutting technique is very important for the final result. You should adhere to a few basic rules.
- Use sharp pruning shears.
- Wear cut-resistant gardening gloves.
- Cut off whole branches as close as possible to the tree trunk.
- Do not seal cuts with a diameter of less than 10 cm. For larger cuts, apply wound closure agent only to the edge of the wound.
- Ideally, the fruit trees should have an even pyramidal crown after cutting. When cutting, you should also make sure that all branches and twigs receive sufficient sunlight. In some cases you can even thin out the tree if the branches rub against each other or cross each other.
- Old twigs and branches that have not borne fruit for several years are also removed.
- Branches growing downwards must also be cut off.
- The precise cut is very important. It is therefore better to work with hand shears or pruning shears and avoid tools with telescopic rods.
Rejuvenation pruning for the fruit tree: a step-by-step guide:
- Check the fruit tree for pests and dead wood.
- Mark the old branches pointing downwards and upwards.
- Every tree has a central shoot and several main branches, also called leading branches. These should definitely stay put. The main branches (approx. 5-6 branches) are shortened so that the crown shape is retained.
- If necessary, the crown of the old fruit trees can also be thinned out. To do this, simply mark all crossing and old shoots.
- Young trees also need to be cut. In the first few years, the leading branches should only be shortened. The remaining branches are cut as close as possible to the tree trunk.
- Set the correct interface. Almost every branch branch has a bulge that is easily recognizable. Cut the tree branch about 2-3 cm above the bead.
- It is best to leave the interfaces untreated.
Cutting fruit trees in frost: is that possible?
Fruit trees are usually pruned on frost-free days. However, cutting in spring is easily possible even in permanent frost. The fruit trees can recover well and can easily tolerate temperatures down to -6 degrees Celsius. It is particularly important that this cut takes place in spring - i.e. at the end of the winter dormancy.
Cutting fruit trees: exceptions and useful tips for the different types of fruit trees
Cutting apricot:
Although the apricot tree tolerates pruning in spring, the best time to do this is in summer, after the end of the harvest season.
In spring, training pruning for young trees is an option. The branches are cut so that the tree retains its typical pyramid shape. This cut should definitely not be missed, because without it the fruit tree will quickly become bare.
Pruning apple tree
It is recommended that the apple tree be pruned carefully in spring, ideally at the end of February. The fruit tree tolerates frost well and can be cut at temperatures down to -6 degrees Celsius.
The cut depends on the respective variety. For slow-growing varieties, heavy pruning is recommended to promote growth. However, vigorous varieties that quickly become very tall should not be shortened.
Pruning pear trees
The crown of the pear tree loses its typical shape with age. Pruning in winter is therefore an absolute must. Otherwise, you risk that the crown will become heavily branched after a few years. Branches that do not receive sunlight also bear significantly fewer and smaller fruits.
Pruning the quince tree
Shortly before the flowers form in March, i.e. mid to late February, is the right time to cut the quince tree. Unlike other fruit trees, the quinces are not shortened, but thinned out. Old branches and twigs are removed. You can also plant the fruit tree every 3-4 yearsmiss a topiary.
In contrast to other young fruit trees, you should not cut the quince tree for the first 3-4 years.
