For best size control and fruit on Apple,
Apricot, Mulberry, Nectarine, Peach, Plum, and Pomegranate Trees, prune
during the summer months.For height control, cut new growth back to
the desired size in June. The remaining stubs will re-sprout quickly. In
early September, cut back again, just below the newest sprouts. This
method is called Double-Heading. It is OK to prune at any time during
the summer to keep the tree at its desired size. Double-heading is
simply less time consuming.
Most of us were originally taught to prune in winter. More recently,
authorities told us to prune in the fall. The latest research has proven
that summer pruning is most effective. This is because these fruit trees
do not grow during the fall. Therefore any foliage remaining after
summer pruning will gather energy all fall for the next year’s crop.
Heavy winter or fall pruning eliminates wood that has already stored
ample energy, leaving underlying wood with less potential for fruiting.
It was also thought that trees should be pruned when dormant because
less sap leaks out. Now we understand that this leaking is actually
beneficial to the trees as a natural defense mechanism.
