Apricot trees produce sugared , juicy fruit that ’s a warm - weather favorite . Proper pruning is key to keeping tree good for you and rich . But when is the right time to prune apricot trees – summertime or winter ? turn out summer pruning is idealistic to avoid disease and maximize fruiting .
Why Prune Apricot Trees in Summer?
Most fruit tree diagram are dress when dormant in late winter . But apricot tree are extra prostrate to a fungous contagion call Eutypa dieback if pruned during tight insensate month . The fungus embark through pruning cuts killing branches and leaves .
Pruning apricot trees in summertime avoids this disease . The fond , wry weather condition allows the cuts to bring around quickly before rain returns . summertime prune also benefit the tree by :
For the healthiest tree diagram and best fruit output , summer pruning is recommended .
When to Prune Apricot Trees in Summer
Aim to prune apricot trees in summertime after crop when the tree diagram is still actively growing . This allows lot of time for healing before winter .
The idealistic summer pruning timeframe is :
Early summertime – Prune in July - August after fruiting Avoid exceedingly hot over 100 ° F days
Mid summertime – Prune gently to shape tree and thin crowding .
previous summer – slow up down pruning in August - September to season off for wintertime .
Pruning from mid to late summertime keeps trees productive while giving cuts time to mend before cold atmospheric condition .
How Often to Prune Apricot Trees
unexampled young tree – ask more corrective pruning to establish frame .
Mature trees – Prune annually to maintain wellness , structure , and productiveness .
Old trees – Prune gently to revitalize , removing deadwood and weakly arm .
Frequent summer pruning while trees are young sets good structure . yearly pruning maintain muscularity . Light pruning is require for elderly tree .
What to Prune on Apricot Trees
When summertime pruning apricot trees :
Remove dead , damaged , and diseased branches – Prevents spreading infection .
Thin dense interior – Opens up center for light and air stream .
abbreviate crossing and rub branches – Eliminates crowding and legal injury .
Shorten long shoot – Encourages side fork and fruit .
Remove mug and watersprouts – Cleans up errant new growth .
frame anatomical structure – Guide tree growing outward for skilful fruiting .
center on improving tree wellness and productiveness when deciding what branches to dress out .
How to Prune Apricot Trees Step-by-Step
1. Sterilize Tools
Clean tools foreclose spreading disease . Dip pruning shear and saws in a diluted blanching agent solvent before trimming each tree diagram .
2. Remove Unhealthy Growth
Cut out dead , damaged , or pathological wood first . Pruning these off improves tree health .
3. Open Up Center
Clear out branch in the interior to create an unresolved vase physical body . This tolerate light , air , and spray penetration .
4. Cut Back Long Shoots
cut tight - growing new shoot to 24 - 30 inches . This encourages branching and heyday bud .
5. Thin Out Crowding
Selectively dispatch superfluous branches where too slow . Space key scaffold branch several column inch asunder .
6. Remove Upward and Downward Growth
Prune out branch that grow directly up or down . These will not be productive .
7. Shape Structure
Prune to guide out limb expansion for maximal yield production .
8. Clean Up Suckers and Watersprouts
Pinch off unwanted raw vertical growth around al-Qaida and inside .
9. Remove 20% of Prior Season’s Growth
Pruning out 1/5th of branches each summer prevents overgrowth .
10. Optimize Light Exposure
Prune excess foliage if need to foreclose sunburn on rest branches .
Pruning Tools Needed
Having the right pruning peter make water summer trimming easier :
shunt trimmer – For cutting stem under 1/2 inch diameter .
lopper – For thick stems up to 1.5 inches wide .
Hand pruning saw – For branch over 1.5 inches that lopper ca n’t edit .
Pole pruner and saw – For reaching high-pitched subdivision safely .
Sterilizing spray or wipes – For cleaning tools between tree .
Investing in quality tool allow precise , clean cut that cure quickly .
Avoiding Mistakes When Pruning Apricot Trees
Some common pruning errors to avert :
Pruning too lately in summer – Cuts wo n’t have prison term to bring around before wintertime .
Over - pruning – remove too much foliation accent the tree .
Under - pruning – get Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree get overgrown leads to shading and abridge fruiting .
Pruning in wet condition – increase endangerment of fungal contagion .
go away branch stubs – Stubs buy the farm and invite decline . Make clean swing .
Using unsterilized cock – Can spread disease between trees .
Painting cuts – Seals wounds instead of allowing air circulation to heal cuts .
With proper technique , you may prune apricot tree diagram with corking results !
Enjoy an Abundant Apricot Harvest
About This Article
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Apricot trees can get sick , but if you prune them once a class , they will stay healthy and heal . It ’s adept to clip your apricot Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in late summertime flop after harvesting yield . You ’ll desire to use sharp , clean pruning shears and a pruning saw to make the job easier . Start by rationalise away any visibly dead , diseased , or damage branch . Then , cut off any small sprout that are coming out of the trunk . These can get in the means of other offset that are fruiting . To thin the arm , issue away small branches about a fourth part - inch above where they connect to the trunk . impart a few healthy offshoot in place so you do n’t thin the tree too much . To learn how to shorten the height of your tree diagram with pruning , scan on ! .
StepsPart
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How to prune Apricot trees
How do you abridge a apricot Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ?
When you shorten a branch , cut just above a side branch or bud whenever possible . Here are the measure in cut back a freshly set apricot tree diagram : Remove all damaged or broken shoots and limbs . Remove all branches with a minute crotch — those that grow up more than out . absent all arm that are within 18 inches ( 46 cm . ) off the earth .
When should I garnish my apricot tree ?
pare your Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree as before long as possible after harvesting fruit . At this stage , the tree will still be in a growth phase and will be able-bodied to heal more rapidly . Pruning in late summer give your apricot Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree more time to farm new branches , which intend that your tree diagram will produce more apricots next class . Acquire sharp pruning shears and a pruning byword .
Should apricot trees be cut in the summer ?
dress an apricot plant in the summer enables the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to heal chop-chop and varnish itself from moisture , which can make damage and introduce disease . cut your tree as soon as possible after harvesting fruit . At this stage , the tree will still be in a growth phase and will be able-bodied to heal more chop-chop .
How do you cut back a apricot tree ?
Pruning in late summertime pay your apricot Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree more sentence to grow Modern branches , which means that your tree will bring out more apricot next twelvemonth . learn sharp pruning shears and a pruning saw . The blades on your shears should be sturdy , not corroded , and capable clip through smaller branches . A pruning byword is usually necessary to sheer thickheaded branches .
