Pruning fruit trees

has many advantages

Source: Richard Durham

Some of your fruit tree’s best friends are pruning shears and loppers. Using these tools properly will help you control pests and promote production of high-quality fruit.

Fruit trees benefit from an annual pruning from the time they’re planted for years to come.

Prior to spring growth, prune out dead, diseased or insect-infested wood to reduce pest problems during the growing season. Pruning increases air movement within the tree canopy. This reduces the amount of time foliage remains wet from rain or dew and lessens the likelihood of diseases that develop under wet conditions. You also will get better spray coverage in an open canopy than a heavily shaded one.

Pruning also promotes high-quality fruit production. Moderate pruning each year helps open up the tree and allows sunlight to penetrate the plant canopy, encouraging formation of fruit buds for next year’s crop and promoting high quality fruit for this year.

Wait to prune fruit trees until the worst of winter weather is over. Late February or early March usually is the best time to prune.

Don’t leave stubs because they serve as an entry point for diseases and can slow down the healing process. Contrary to popular belief and advertising, wound dressings don’t promote more rapid healing of pruning cuts. The wound will heal just fine if left untreated.

Remember, the extent to which you prune young fruit trees will influence the onset of fruiting. Trees need foliage to grow and develop so pruning too severely will delay the time trees start to produce a crop.

However, taking time to properly prune and train a young fruit tree will pay off with production of high-quality fruit later.

For more information on pruning and maintaining fruit trees, contact the Clinton County Cooperative Extension Service (606) 387-5404.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Upcoming meetings:

Tobacco producers

The Clinton, Cumberland, and Russell County Extension Services will be hosting a Tobacco Production meeting, Tuesday, March 4th 2014 at 11:30 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Albany First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall (110 W Cumberland St. Albany, KY).

Dr. Bob Pearce tobacco specialist from the University of Kentucky will be conducting Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) training followed by a short tobacco production meeting.

All producers are invited to attend. Please call the Clinton County Extension office (606-387-5404), the Cumberland County Extension office (270-433-7700) or the Russell County Extension office (270-866-4477) to let us know if you will be able to attend so we can prepare for the meal.