This Is the Worst Time to Prune Your Fruit Trees, According to Experts

Timing is everything when it comes to pruning fruit trees. If you do it correctly, you're setting the tree up for strong growth and a better fruit yield. However, pruning at the wrong time can stress the tree, potentially leading to disease and reducing the amount of fruit it can produce.

Here, our gardening experts break down when you should avoid pruning fruit trees, along with a few best practices so that they thrive under your care.

Side Effects of Incorrect Pruning

Pruning at the wrong time can cause frost damage, poor healing, and sap loss, affecting fruit tree growth and production.

“It can also increase the risk of disease spread, especially in wet conditions, and make trees more vulnerable to pests and pathogens due to open wounds,” says Katie Brines, specialist with Stark Bro’s Nurseries & Orchards Co.

Worst Time to Prune Fruit Trees

One of the worst times to prune any fruit tree is when it first starts to leaf out, as it will bleed sap profusely.

“Another [bad] time is in late summer or early fall, as the trees are going dormant,” says Dick Zondag, horticulturist and owner of Jung Seed Company. “Pruning at that time may stimulate the trees to put out new growth that will not be winter hardy, and may even kill the tree.”

You should also avoid pruning during late spring or summer, says Gabe Boersma, owner of Top It Or Drop It Tree Service—especially right after the tree has put energy into growing new shoots. “Pruning then can weaken the tree and make it vulnerable to pests and disease,” he says.

Also, don't prune during wet conditions. “The moisture can spread fungal spores and pathogens, making trees susceptible to infection,” says Brines. “While wounds heal faster in the growing season, wet conditions slow healing and increase disease risks.” 

Best Time to Prune Fruit Trees

The best time to prune most fruit trees is in late winter or early spring, says Boersma, while the tree is still dormant, but before the buds start swelling. “That way, you're not exposing fresh cuts to hard freezes,” he explains. "You're also not cutting during active growth, when the tree needs all of its energy.”

This timing also allows you to observe the underlying shape of the tree. “You can better assess the structure of the branches when the fruit and leaves aren't present,” adds Zondag. 

Tips for Pruning Fruit Trees

If the timing is right, then it's time to get to pruning. There are many steps involved in this process—here are a few tips and tricks to help you get started.

• Choose clean, sharp tools. These make clean cuts that promote faster healing.
• Begin with the obvious. Start with the dead, diseased, or damaged branches.
• Eliminate the directionally challenged. Look for crossing branches or ones growing toward the center of the tree.
• Cut at the correct spot. An optimal cut happens just above a bud or lateral branch, encouraging healthy growth.
• Remove any water sprouts or suckers. These fast-growing shoots don't produce quality fruit, and can even sap energy from the tree, warns Boersma. "You'll find these along the trunk of the tree, and sometimes on the bigger branches.” 
• Clear out anything too vertical. These branches should be as horizontal as possible, Zondag says. “If the branches are too vertical, then they may break off if they have too much fruit," he warns.
• Keep the shape balanced. Choose a vase-like or central leader shape, depending on the type of tree. 
• Don't overdo it. Try to keep your cuts to no more than a quarter of the tree's total branches in a single season. “If you're ever unsure, it's better to take off less than too much,” says Boersma. “The exception would be with dead or diseased branches."