Pruning fruit trees

It’s time to give free-standing trees a trim, says Ruth

- Ruth Hayes

ONCE their leaves have fallen and the blackbirds have consumed the last of the windfalls, it is time to give your freestanding fruit trees an annual prune.

This can be done any time during the dormant season, from late November through to late winter, just before the buds start to swell and burst into green.

Apple, pear and quince trees need your attention now, and we prune them each year to keep them productive and healthy and also to mould them into an attractive shape.

An open shape, like a wine goblet, lets light into the inner branches, which promotes blossom and fruiting. It also creates good airflow, helping reduce the risk of fungal problems and mildew.

Start by removing wood that is dead, damaged, dying or diseased, then turn your attention to shoots that are rubbing, crossing and growing inwards, which will clutter up the centre of the tree.