Instructions / Assembly

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The reasons for pruning fruit trees are the same as
those for pruning any tree or shrub. Pruning of two-
year-old whips is important to the shape, health, and
productivity of the mature tree. Regular maintenance
pruning to remove dead or diseased wood or wood
that is growing in awkward directions is also import-
ant. Unlike pruning ornamental trees and shrubs,
properly pruning fruit trees makes a difference be-
tween large, annual crops of excellent fruit and spotty,
intermittent crops of variable quality. Fruit trees are
encouraged to bear lots of large fruits, pruning to de-
velop a strong branch system capable of withstanding
the annual load of ripe fruit is also critical. For tips on
basic pruning techniques and the best times to prune,
see “Pruning Methods” and “When to Prune”.
Most fruit trees are sold as two-year-old bare-root
whips, and must be pruned when planted. Cut the main
stem back by about one third to a fat bud, and prune
side branches until you have removed about a third of
the total wood. Such severe pruning of small, newly
purchased trees is always difficult for beginners, but
years of experience have shown thatit is beneficial and
will get your tree off to a faster, healthier start.
Prune fruit trees to allow ample sunlight to reach into
the middle of the tree, otherwise fruits will not rip-
en properly and will lack good color. This can mean
removing many more lateral branches and stems to
PRUNING FRUIT TREES