Can You Prune Your Fruit Trees in Winter?

Pruning fruit trees in winter keep trees such as Apple trees and Pear trees healthy and productive. If you are having second thoughts about whether or not you can prune fruit trees in the winter season, you must read this post till the end. Without pruning trees, they become less productive and unkempt. Therefore, pruning them twice a year, once in summer and once again in winter, is good for their health.

Advantages of Pruning Fruit Trees in Winter

Here are some of the advantages of pruning fruit trees in winter:

• During the winter season, fruit trees are dormant and shed their leaves which make it easy for a professional arborist to identify and cut dead branches and other unwanted parts of fruit trees.
• If you opt for tree pruning in winter, you are giving enough time to trees for recovering during the incoming spring season.
• Winter pruning of fruit trees is good to prevent the spreading of diseases such as Oak Wilt, Cedar Hawthorn, etc. that are more active during the summer and spring season.

Now that you know the advantages of pruning fruit trees in winter, you must know about some important tips that you should know for your tree and stump removal program.

Tips for Pruning Fruit Trees in Winter

• Use quality equipment and tools for performing pruning on fruit trees otherwise, you will do more damage than good. If you do not have the required tools, you can seek help from Brisbane Tree Services who offer professional pruning services.
• Refrain from pruning in bad weather as it can be dangerous. If you still want to prune, you can seek help from a professional tree cutting service.
• Do not use an A-frame ladder for reaching the parts of a tree that are otherwise inaccessible. Losing balance on the ladder can lead to serious injuries.
• Do not cut the top end of the tree during tree felling and pruning as it can affect the growth of trees and the productivity could also be affected by it.
• Remember to remove the crossing branches as these branches can cause damage to the tree during heavy wind or during the time when the tree is laden with fruit.
• When you are trying to re-balance the tree by pruning it, make sure that you make fewer and larger cuts instead of smaller cuts to restore the shape.

When Is the Best Time To Prune Fruit Trees In Winter?

If you are planning to prune Apple and pear trees, the best time is between November and March. During this time, trees are in a state of dormancy. Winter pruning is the best means to experience strong and healthy growth in the spring season.

Conclusion:

We hope that with the information provided here about pruning fruit trees in winter, you will be able to increase the productivity of your trees. You can leave behind the small branches and trunks after completing pruning. These branches will act as a home for insects and worms which can be a good source of food for birds.