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Fruit Tree Pruning and Care

Fruit Tree Pruning During Dormancy Periods Will Help Improve Crop Production

For most homeowners, pruning and trimming their trees and shrubs is often considered a rite of spring.  The weather gets warmer, lawns and gardens begin to dry out after the snow/ice has melted, and daylight savings time is in effect – all encouraging signs for a homeowner that the time has arrived to ready the property for the good weather ahead.

Regrettably, these good intentions to revitalize the yard after a long winter may actually have a detrimental effect, especially in relation to tree pruning. Notwithstanding the return of the spring weather, this may not be the best time to prune/trim certain species of trees – and this is particularly true for fruit trees.

Contrary to popular belief, tree trimming can and should be performed at varying times of the year depending on the specific type/species of tree and their respective dormant seasons.  In certain instances, such as addressing an issue with tree health or structural damage, pruning can be considered or executed during that particular tree’s off-season.

Pruning fruit trees at inappropriate or non-recommended times can lead to the following:

  • Increased risk of tree infection
  • Retardation of overall tree growth
  • Reduction or loss of fruit production

On the contrary, pruning fruit trees during their dormant season offers several benefits:

Opens trees to more sunlight penetration

  • Fruit is produced consistently throughout entire tree
  • Fruit crop also ripens more uniformly and dependably

Encourages more airflow through the tree

  • Air penetration/movement helps keep away insects
  • Reduces potential for infected fruit and tree infection

Helps increase fruit production

  • In both quantity as well as quality

More convenient for fruit picking

  • Keeps height of tree at a manageable level
  • Provides easier/safer access to ripened fruit

Special attention is required for young fruit trees in terms of both pruning and shaping.  This is particularly important in situations where nurseries may sell a fruit tree based on how full or appealing it looks at the time of sale, rather than how it should look in order to produce a viable crop for many years into the future.

Some key steps to help promote growth and production with young fruit trees include:

  • Start pruning on essentially the same day that the young tree is planted
  • Ensure that a central trunk (not a ‘wishbone’) runs the height of the tree
  • Spread branches away from the trunk to an angle of roughly 60 degrees

Proper fruit tree pruning and care can lead to better and more bountiful crop production.  But it does require a commitment of time and effort, and at the right times of the year, to achieve such results.

Many fruit tree owners likely relish the challenges and are therefore comfortable as well as confident in their ability to provide adequate care.  On the other hand, for those who wish to simply enjoy the fruits of a labour other than their own, they might choose to capitalize on the expertise of a professional tree service provider such as DreamWorks Tree Services.

Get Expert Fruit Tree Pruning and Avoid the Risk of Crop or Tree Infection

When homeowners invest in planting fruit trees on their properties, the likely implication is that they will be able to enjoy healthy and plentiful crop production for many years to come.  While there is an innate satisfaction in being the person responsible for the care and maintenance of the trees, things do not always go as planned and many factors can conspire to derail the anticipated results.

Therefore, contracting a professional tree care service may provide the optimal solution for those who want to grow their own fruit but may not have the time or the inclination to indulge in all of the requisite tree care steps.

DreamWorks Tree Services offers the experience and expertise necessary to handle fruit tree care from year to year, including but not limited to the aspects of:

  • Tree planting
  • Tree positioning
  • Pruning/trimming
  • Damage mitigation
  • Damage prevention

Furthermore, the tree pruning experts from DreamWorks Tree Services do not use or wear spurs for tree climbing, thereby providing additional benefits consisting of:

  • Elimination of bark damage
  • Reduced chance of tree infection
  • Reduced potential for insect infestation

For all your fruit tree care and maintenance, including spur-free tree pruning, call the experts at DreamWorks Tree Services today at 647-924-2627 or 1-800-407-9917 to book a no-obligation consultation on this and other tree care services.

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