Miniature fruit trees are very popular with gardeners who have limited space. But the dwarf shrubs also set accents in the garden. At the same time, they ensure a rich harvest, which is promoted by regular cutting.
How do I prune dwarf fruit trees correctly?
When pruning dwarf fruit trees, you should use the ideal time (February to March), make the crown loose, lead branches away from the trunk, remove unwanted branches and shorten young shoots. How to promote the growth and fruit yield of fruit trees.
Time
The ideal period for pruning small fruit trees is from the end of February to March. In early spring the tree is in the dormant phase. The sap flow starts later, so interventions can be easily de alt with. If there is a risk of frost at this time, postpone the pruning date until April to May. You shouldn't wait too long before the procedure, because if you cut too late, the trees grow worse and hardly develop any fruit.
Special features
Peach trees should only be pruned in spring. Sweet cherries are usually pruned immediately after the cherry harvest in summer. For apple and pear trees, the period extends from late summer to early autumn. No pruning is recommended after August, as the tree then prepares for hibernation. Cuts can no longer heal sufficiently in the fall.
How to cut correctly
Dwarf fruit trees require regular pruning, although this is less intensive than their tall relatives. The goal is a crown with the branches pointing away from the trunk. Side branches are desirable because they increase flower production. A rejuvenating cut ensures that the crown appears loose and all branches are optimally supplied with energy. With this measure you maximize the fruit yield.
This is important to note
In fruit trees, only those parts of the branches that have a sleeping eye at the end are supplied with nutrients. Such dying areas represent an entry point for pathogens and pests. Therefore, the correct incision is of great importance.
Basic rules:
- always cut directly above a bud
- Only prune leading branches once the desired branch thickness has been reached
- Spare fruit wood, even if it affects the appearance
Tip
Cut the main shoot for the first time when it is 100 centimeters tall. This promotes side growth.
Rejuvenation cut
Remove all branches that cross each other or are parallel and disrupt the overall picture. Specimens that point towards the inside of the crown or grow steeply upwards are undesirable. Cut off excessively long side branches at their base and cut off dead, old and diseased shoots close to the trunk or into the he althy part. Shorten all young shoots by one or two buds.
Good to know
There is a reason why dwarf fruit trees remain so small. They are refined on a base. The lower trunk area is responsible for the growth of the grafted shoots. Spindle trees often sit on weakly growing rootstocks. Thanks to this base, these specimens are limited to a height of three to four meters. Grafting areas appear as thickenings in the trunk area and must not be cut off.