Question 1

When is the best time to prune fruit trees?

Accepted Answer

Timing is critical. For most fruit trees, late winter (February/March) is ideal. Pruning just before the buds break stimulates vigorous growth and allows wounds to heal quickly as the tree wakes up. However, for trees that grow too aggressively (water sprouts), we may recommend summer pruning to calm the tree down and restrict size.

Question 2

Why does my tree have fruit but it never ripens?

Accepted Answer

This is often an issue of overcrowding. If a tree sets too much fruit, it doesn't have the energy to ripen all of it, resulting in small, hard fruit. In addition to pruning branches, we often recommend fruit thinning—manually removing 50% or more of the immature fruit early in the season. This channels the tree's energy into the remaining fruit, giving you larger, sweeter produce.

Question 3

​My tree has straight shoots going straight up. What are they?

Accepted Answer

Those are called water sprouts. They are a stress response, often caused by over-pruning in the past. They crowd the canopy, block light, and do not produce fruit. We remove these to redirect energy back to the fruiting wood, but we do so carefully. Removing them all at once can sometimes trigger the tree to grow even more of them!

Question 4

I just planted a fruit tree, should I prune this year?

Accepted Answer

Start Early: The most important cuts on a fruit tree happen in the first 3 years. Training a young sapling to the correct form (Vase vs. Central Leader) prevents massive structural problems later. If you have just planted a fruit tree, call us now to establish its architecture, it is much cheaper and healthier than trying to fix a neglected tree 10 years later.

Question 5

Do you have fruit tree recommendations?

Accepted Answer

Not sure what fits your landscape?

Every orchard and garden is unique. Instead of guessing, let our Certified Arborists design a plan tailored to your specific space and objectives. Whether you want a high-yield production orchard or a low-maintenance backyard fruit garden, we can recommend the right species and care plan for your goals.

Specialized Pruning Techniques

Pruning for Production, Not Just Looks

Architecture: The "Open Center" Strategy

Weight & Load Management

Frequently Asked Questions About Fruit Tree Pruning

Get answers to common questions about maintaining healthy fruit trees.

When is the best time to prune fruit trees?

Why does my tree have fruit but it never ripens?

My tree has straight shoots going straight up. What are they?

I just planted a fruit tree, should I prune this year?

Do you have fruit tree recommendations?

Need help with your fruit trees?

We consult on multi-year strategies.

Specialized Pruning Techniques

Pruning for Production, Not Just Looks

Architecture: The "Open Center" Strategy

Weight & Load Management

Frequently Asked Questions About Fruit Tree Pruning

Get answers to common questions about maintaining healthy fruit trees.

Question

When is the best time to prune fruit trees?

Question

Why does my tree have fruit but it never ripens?

Question

​My tree has straight shoots going straight up. What are they?

Question

I just planted a fruit tree, should I prune this year?

Question

Do you have fruit tree recommendations?

Need help with your fruit trees?

We consult on multi-year strategies.

My tree has straight shoots going straight up. What are they?