How to Summer Prune
1) Pruning Bush Apples, Pears, Plums, Cherries, Cobnuts, Filberts and Figs – First Winter Pruning
a) Apples and Pears
Late autumn-winter prune main leader back to 10 inches, cut just above a bud facing opposite way to previous year (gives straight stem), remaining side branch leaders cut back by half length – to outward buds.
b) Plums
As for apples and pears, but trimming time differs. Prune in March/April – just as buds shooting. Paint cuts.
c) Cherries
As for plums cutting in March/April. Paint cuts.
d) Cobnuts/Filberts
Cut off any branches below 12 inches. Cut back main and side branch leaders to 9 inches.
2) Bush Trees Summer Pruning – First Year
a) Apples and Pears
In mid August cut laterals not required for branch leaders to three leaves (about 4 inches), see Fig.4. Do not prune the branch leaders or main leader.
Note – Some new branch leaders will have been produced by the main leader cut lst winter.
b) Plums
Treat as for apples, also shorten the main leader to 10 inches and the branch leaders by a third. Note: From now on little pruning is required, only to remove crossing, rubbing, broken or dead shoots, preferably in July/August (since this avoids period of silver – leaf infection). Paint wounds. Plums produce fruit on young wood.
c) Cherries
Cherries are not summer pruned.
d) Cobnuts/Filberts
Cut off any branches below 12 inches. Cut back main and side branch leaders to 9 inches.
3) Bush – Second Winter Pruning
a) Apples and Pears
Similar to first winter pruning. Main leader again cut to 10 inches. New branch leaders as before to half length. Existing branch leaders by one third. All to outward buds.
b)Plums
None
c) Cherries
Since these are not pruned during summer, pruning is now required but delay until March. Pruning is identical to 3a). In years to come little pruning is required.
d) Cobnuts/Filberts
Cut off any branches below 12 inches. Cut back main and side branch leaders to 9 inches.
e) Figs
In April (after risk of frosts) cut out each alternate young shoot to 1 bud.
4) Bush – Subsequent Summer Pruning
a) Apples and Pears
See Fig 4. After mid August cut laterals to three leaves , about 4 inches and sub laterals to one leaf above basal cluster. Do not prune any shoots which are shorter than 8 inches, leave branch leader until winter.
b) Plums
After first year little required (See Fig 3), but leaders may be lightly tipped if growth weak.
c) Cherries
Only summer prune if there is branch breakage or dieback. Paint wounds.
d) Cobnuts and Filberts
Summer pruning is done in August and is called “brutting”. This means breaking by hand the strong laterals (12 inches long) of the current seasons growth, but leave till winter, then cut back as Fig 3).
5) Bush – Subsequent Winter Pruning
a) Apples and Pears
When the tree reaches desired height 7-8 feet. Cut the main leader back to point of origin every winter. Sometimes a certain amount of branch removal is required and also spur thinning.
b) Plums
Not winter pruned
c) Cherries
Prune in March. Leader tipping should not be required unless more branch leaders are required. If there are too many strong shoots in centre of tree, some may be removed completely. As the tree ages, occasional old shoots can be shortened back to encourage young wood. Remove crossing, rubbing, damaged or diseased shoots. Paint wounds.
d) Cobnuts/Filbert nuts
Thin branches to maintain. The open centre (goblet) shape (5 to 6 branches). Top branches at 6 to 7 feet by cutting back to a side bud or weak side shoot.
e) Figs
Cut out about ¼ of old unproductive shoots. Thin out alternative young shoots by cutting to one bud in April.
Espalier Pruning in Winter/Spring Following Planting
1 Shorten main leader to tired wire – if not reached do not prune.
2 Cut side branch leaders back by one third.
3 Shorten any side shoots (laterals) on side branches to 3-4 inches.
4 Spur back any shoots arising from central stem.
Espalier Summer Pruning
Mid August
a) Shorten laterals on side branches to 4 inches.
b) Shorten any laterals (shoots growing from laterals) to 2-3 inches. Do not prune any shoots which are shorter than 8 inches.
c) Do not prune leaders
d) Tie in the main leader also the selected shoots for the third tier. Remove unwanted shoots from central stem, also tie in side branch leaders.
Successive Winter Pruning
a) Shorten main leader to appropriate wire.
b) Shorten side branch leaders by one third.
c) When main leader or branch leaders have extended as far as required cut back each year to point of origin.
d) If new growth has occurred after summer pruning cut back to a new bud.
Note – Apples and pears can be grown as ‘fans, in this case prune as described for espaliers but there will not be a main central leader.
Fan Plums or Peaches – Spring Pruning After Planting
1) Shorten branch leaders by one third. Note – With peaches dead wood often occurs, cut back beyond this .
2) Tie shoots to canes forming framework – if not already done. As growth starts rub out inward shoots if against wall.
Summer Pruning Plums (June-July)
1) Pinch shoots not required for branch leaders back to 5 inches.
2) Mid August – September cut these shoots back to about 3 inches.
Successive Spring/Summer Pruning – Plums
1) Repeat as previously described but note that more branch leaders will need to be tied in, in order to make fullest use of the wall. If the tree becomes too crowded thin out some shoots in August.
Summer Pruning Peaches 9 May – End August
Peaches crop on young wood produced the previous year, therefore, new shoots need to be retained every 10 cm along the branches left un-pruned. Cut back any surplus shoots to 3 cm. When the retained shoots are 45 cm long pinch out the growing tip. Do not forget to retain branch leaders which should not be pinched back. The retained shoots should also be tied in during late summer. The following year these shoots produce extension growth and side shoots. All but two of these side shoots are pinched and a reserve is kept further up. Allow these to grow to 18 inches long and then pinch out the tip. The extension growth is pinched when it is 8 inches long. After cropping cut back the fruited shoots to the best side shoot (if the reserve is used shorten the other right back). Now tie the young growth in.
Special Spring Treatment Peaches
1) Prune out all dead wood.
2) Shorten branch leaders by one third.
3) Ensure there are enough branch leaders to make complete use of wall.
Minarettes – Winter Pruning After Planting
1) Shorten the central leader by one third (see Fig 7.).
2) The lateral shoots should have been summer pruned but if this was not done shorten them to 3 inches.
Minarettes – Summer Pruning
After mid August cut laterals to three leaves, about 4 inches, and sub laterals to one leaf above basal cluster. Do not prune any shoots which are shorter than 8 inches, and leave central leader until winter.
Minarettes – Subsequent Winter Pruning
Little winter pruning is required, but central leader is shortened by one third. If secondary growth has taken place from summer ‘cuts’ then cut back below this to a good bud. When the central stem has reached maximum height cut back unwanted growth to point of origin each winter. When the tree becomes too crowded remove some spurs.