Whether it’s a pair of long-handled loppers, pruning saw or secateurs, using the right tool is essential for this task. So, whether your tree is fully established or newly planted, follow our tips below on how to prune your fruit trees. Once your tree has reached the required size and shape, most pruning can be done in summer, although a small amount is still needed every winter for maintenance. This will help to minimise pests and diseases, and enable more sunlight to reach the developing fruit in summer. You should aim to open up the centre of your tree so that air can circulate between the branches. How to prune an apple treeĪpples that are grown on dwarfing rootstocks (M9 and M27) need little pruning, but medium or large trees benefit from being cut back hard. This is because the trees are dormant in winter, so by cutting back branches and shoots, you are concentrating the flow of sap in spring into fewer buds, resulting in stronger growth.

While summer-pruning fruit trees encourages flowering and fruiting, pruning in winter controls the overall shape, size and health of your tree.

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