How to Prune a Pomegranate Tree So It Produces More Fruit, According to Experts

The perks of a pomegranate tree are obvious. They produce beautiful, orange-red flowers, and will supply you with plenty of delicious fruit—in particular, pomegranates are beloved for their anti-inflammatory properties. However, harvests don't just come out of nowhere; you'll need to properly maintain your tree if you want the maximum amount of fruit.

Here, we spoke to an expert about the dos and don'ts of pruning pomegranate trees. Follow these steps and you'll have a beautiful and more productive tree in no time.

Benefits of Pruning

There are many reasons why pruning is a good idea. Overall, pomegranate trees like to stay dry, says Kitti Cooper, owner of Cooper Farm. Pruning lets more air and light inside, which will keep the plant dry—the additional light will help it produce even more fruit.

This process also helps to prevent fungal disease and leaf drop.

When to Prune

Always prune during late winter or very early spring—typically in February or March. This is when your pomegranate tree will be dormant. "Keep an eye on the last freeze of your USDA grow zone, as pruning stimulates new growth that can be damaged by a freeze," says Cooper.

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When Not to Prune

It's best not to prune a pomegranate tree when it's flowering or when fruit is developing—this can lead to stunted fruit production. So avoid pruning in late spring and during summer.

"Once those branches are cut, they won't produce fruit," says Cooper. "They'll rely on new growth to produce the following year."

How to Prune

Pomegranates resemble shrubs more than trees, with multiple trunks that can produce fruit. As a result, you'll need to take a slightly different approach to pruning them.

Use a clean, sharp set of pruning shears. "First, get rid of anything that's dead, broken, or where branches rub against each other—then get rid of suckers at the base," says Tammy Sons, founder of TN Nursery.

You should have three to five main trunks. This will create a vase-like shape that's more reminiscent of a shrub than a tree, but this form will lend itself to increased fruit production.

Shorten any of the branches that seem to have grown too long. "The key here is thinning out branches," adds Cooper. "Start from the center and thin out the middle parts of the tree to allow more light in." Make sure to cut at a 45 degree angle.

However, don't overdo it. "People often prune too much, cut the top of the tree off flat, or forget about the suckers," she says. "All of these things will eventually mean a smaller crop and a tree that's more likely to fall apart."