When to prune apple and other fruit trees

Pruning is one of the best things you can do to keep your fruit trees healthy and productive.

It allows you to redirect your tree's energy where it's needed the most, whether that's encouraging new growth or producing better fruit. It also helps to encourage healthy growth, maximise fruit production, maintain the tree's shape and reduce the risk of disease. 

When to prune fruit trees?

Fruit tree pruning can generally be carried out in winter, spring or summer, depending on what your end goal is.

Winter pruning

Mainly for apples, pears and quince, winter pruning encourages vigorous growth. In the early years, annual winter pruning encourages small buds to form near the base of stems that will eventually become fruiting spurs. Pruning when the leaves have fallen gives you a chance to see the overall shape and structure of your tree.

However, it's best to avoid pruning in early winter. During this period, energy is stored in the roots and branch growth is minimal, so pruning wounds cannot heal. Instead, prune in late winter, just before spring, when the tree will be able to heal pruning wounds more effectively.

Spring and summer pruning

Mainly for stone fruits or if your tree is too big, and you don’t want to encourage vigorous growth. Also good for trained apples and pears.

It doesn’t trigger the tree into producing lots of new growth so it's good for trees you want to keep small and for dwarf trees. It’s also a chance to remove diseased or dead wood.

Because spring and summer pruning is carried out after the tree has started to develop fruits (known as setting fruits), you can avoid cutting the branches with fruits on.

Autumn pruning

It’s better to avoid autumn pruning as this can stimulate new growth at a time when the tree is getting ready to go into dormancy.

Should you prune young trees?

Pruning is especially important during the first three to four years of a young tree, before fruiting begins, as it helps establish a strong, structural framework. Winter pruning young trees will encourage small buds to form near the base of stems, which will develop into fruiting spurs. It also prevents excessive top growth, allowing the tree to put more energy into developing a strong root system.

How often should you prune your tree?

The frequency depends on the tree’s age and species. Young trees benefit from annual pruning to establish a strong structure as they grow. Mature trees generally need pruning every two to three years, mainly to remove dead or diseased wood, improve air circulation and allow more light to reach the centre of the tree. 

In general, pruning of apples (Malus species), pears (Pyrus species) and quince (Cydonia oblongata) is best carried out in winter. Quince fruits are produced on the new season’s growth so winter pruning can be used to promote new shoots and a better fruit crop.

When you're pruning, aim to create an open goblet shape in the canopy. Only remove about a third of the branches, including those that grow towards the centre of the goblet, crossing, diseased and damaged branches. This will encourage new growth and allow the air and sunlight to penetrate the branches.

Trained fruit trees and or overgrown trees can be pruned in the summer to maintain shape. 

When: November to early March.

General tips: see our guide to winter pruning apples and pears.

Plum trees, along with cherries, peaches and apricots are all plants from the genus Prunus and are best pruned lightly in the summer. Carefully prune out the centre of the canopy to create an open goblet shape. Only take about one-third of the branches out and remove crossing branches and those growing inwards towards the centre. Also, remove any shoots or buds growing from the base of the trunk.

Summer pruning encourages your tree to produce higher fruit crops, allows the air and light into the centre of the tree canopy (which helps fruits to stay healthy and ripen) and stops your trees from becoming too big.

When: ideally in spring and summer, either before or after flowering. 

General tips: remove damaged, dead and diseased branches and focus on keeping the tree a manageable shape and size. Make cuts to where there is fruit.

If you’re lucky enough to have a mature mulberry tree it won’t need much pruning. Only prune lightly or else you’ll shock the tree into so much growth it may not be able to support itself. Mulberries also tend to bleed sap from cuts which is minimised in winter.

When: winter. The RHS recommends pruning mulberries about a month after the last leaves have fallen.

How to prune a fruit tree

Tools you’ll need:

• A pair of long-handled loppers
• A sharp pruning saw or secateurs (blunt tools can tear branches, creating wounds that make the tree more vulnerable to disease). 

1. Remove thin or damaged shoots: this is much easier when the tree has no leaves, as you can clearly see the branch structure and identify fruit buds.
2. Prune last season’s growth: always cut above the bud or branch, and never cut too close to the main stem.
3. Shorten the main leader: reduce it by around half its length using a sloping cut, the angled cut helps rainwater run off, reducing the risk of rot. 

This blog was originally published on 2 February 2018, and was last updated on 22 July 2026, to include new information.